Diskussionen » Eugenio Suarez hit his 34th homer

Throughout his time with the Red Sox http://www.astrosfanproshop.com/authentic-jose-altuve-jersey , Eovaldi has proved he is more than capable of putting together quality starts, as he conceded zero earned runs in five starts for Boston.In his career at Minute Maid Park, he has given up six earned runs, four of which came in the June meeting with the Astros.One concern the Red Sox could have about Eovaldi is his record after more than six days of rest, which sits at 5-9 in 27 starts.If he can shake off the rust and retire Houston's sluggers in order to start the game, he should settle into a rhythm and hand the Red Sox a similar outing to the one he produced at Yankee Stadium.However, if Houston's bats wake up in the opening third of the game, Boston manager Alex Cora will be forced to go to his bullpen fast and end up stuck in a tricky rotation situation with David Price already struggling.Which Houston Bats Will Wake Up?Only three Houston players recorded two or more hits at Fenway Park, with Springer leading the ball club with three base knocks.One of the reasons why the Astros hit .188 in the first two games of the ALCS was the 15 walks they were issued, with Bregman drawing six of them.Altuve's struggles at the plate didn't help Houston's offensive rhythm either, as the second baseman went 1-for-8 in Boston.At some point, a handful of players in the Houston lineup are going to break out at the dish, and that could happen as soon as Game 3 since they'll be in familiar surroundings.Springer Craig Biggio Jersey , who has an 11-game postseason hitting streak, needs to be the catalyst at the top of the order, but he's going to need either Altuve or Bregman to bust out a clutch hit in order to take full advantage of having runners in scoring positions.David Dermer/Associated PressIf Bregman continues to reach base by way of walks, Yuli Gurriel has the opportunity to be the breakout star of the Houston lineup.He has two hits in nine at-bats in the ALCS with one home run and three RBI.The 34-year-old was one of Houston's top hitters in September, when he recorded 10 multiple-hit games in the final month of the regular season.The first baseman carried that form into the postseason, as he has one hit in four of the five games he's started.With his team in need of a wake-up call at the plate, Gurriel will drive in at least two runs and set the tone for the bottom half of the order to make contributions while keeping the Boston pitching staff out of a rhythm. Follow Joe on Twitter, JTansey90.Statistics obtained from Baseball Reference. For the Pittsburgh Pirates, the final weekend of a better-than-expected season is a time to say not only goodbye but also hello. Perhaps to the same player.For the Cincinnati Reds, the final weekend of a worse-than-expected season is a time to begin looking ahead and not back at yet another frustrating year.The National League Central rival Pirates and Reds wrap up their three-game series and the season Sunday at Great American Ball Park, with both teams already focusing on 2019. But not before the Pirates conclude some unfinished business.Article continues below ...During a 3-0 loss to the Reds on Saturday, the Pirates’ infield had the look of a few seasons ago with Jung Ho Kang at third base, Jordy Mercer at shortstop and Josh Harrison at second base. But the once-familiar infield might be together only one more day.Kang George Springer Jersey , troubled by injuries and legal issues the last two seasons, started in the majors for the first time since Oct. 2, 2016, and went 1-for-4. Kang could return next season as the Pirates hold a $5.5 million club option on him, or they could decline the option and attempt to re-sign him for less money.Mercer, however, is a pending free agent who appears unlikely to return, and the Pirates can buy out Harrison’s contract for $1 million instead of paying him $10.5 million in 2019.“He (Kang) worked hard to try and put himself in position to come back before the season ended,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. “I think we want to honor that responsibility and the work that he put in to get back here.”Before losing Saturday, the Pirates (81-79) had won nine of 13 overall, a push that guaranteed them a winning season, plus seven in a row and nine of 10 against Cincinnati. The Reds (67-94) halted a six-game losing streak that came amid a late-season run of 11 losses in 14 games.Reds right-hander Michael Lorenzen (4-2, 3.11 ERA) http://www.astrosfanproshop.com/authentic-evan-gattis-jersey , trying to make the transition from a reliever to a starter, shut out the Pirates on five hits in 5 2/3 innings Saturday. It was the second time in Lorenzen’s three late-season starts that he didn’t permit an earned run. He also contributed an RBI single, and Eugenio Suarez hit his 34th homer and his second in as many games.“He (Lorenzen) certainly factors in (the 2019 plans),” Reds interim manager Jim Riggleman said.Sal Romano (8-11, 5.37 ERA), another Reds right-hander who hopes to make the 2019 rotation, will make his first start since Aug. 21 on Sunday. In nine games as a reliever this month, Romano has a 5.19 ERA, with five earned runs allowed in 8 2/3 innings.During his last time out as a starter, Romano allowed five runs and seven hits in five innings of the Reds’ 9-7 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. He didn’t figure in the decision. Romano is 1-2 with a 3.08 ERA in six career games (four starts) against the Pirates.For now, it’s too early to forecast what role he’ll play next season.“Our guys (pitchers) are competing like crazy, they’re working their tails off,” Riggleman said. “But we’ve got to make a few changes pitching-wise.”The Pirates hand the ball to rookie right-hander Clay Holmes (1-3 Carlos Correa Jersey , 7.25 ERA), who makes his fourth career start. Holmes made his major league debut against Cincinnati on April 6, allowing one run in two relief innings.Reliever Steven Brault said he believes the Pirates exceeded expectations in 2018 after losing 87 games last season. Their record, for example, is nearly identical to that of the Arizona Diamondbacks, who were in first place in the NL West at the start of September.“I would say we surpassed expectations this year. We did some really good things,” Brault told the team’s website. “We were inconsistent as a club, individually, everything. That’s why we have the record we do. (But) I think we held our own really well this year.”For the Reds, 2018 was more of the same. They began the season by losing 15 of 18 and never recovered. Even if they win Sunday, they will lose at least 94 games for a fourth consecutive season.The Reds are 5-13 against the Pirates this season.