ALCS Game 1 Thread: Red Sox at Astros

The divisional round of the 2021 postseason is over, and we’re on to the semifinal championship round. The ALCS will pit the Houston Astros against the Boston Red Sox, playing for a trip to the World Series.

That matchup doesn’t offer a lot of rooting interest for Oakland A’s fans. The Astros are our bitter division rival, and also the villains of MLB after their recent cheating scandal. The Red Sox are one of the classic Big Money bullies, and the personification of annoying East Coast bias. They’ve each won a ring within the last four years. We don’t want to see either of them win again.

Extra note: Boston is tied with the A’s for third place in MLB history with nine World Series championships, so if they win, they’ll have 10 and bump the A’s down to fourth place.

The best-of-seven series begins Friday at Minute Maid Park, with Houston holding home-field advantage. Framber Valdez starts Game 1 for the Astros, after getting knocked around in Game 2 of the ALDS against the White Sox. Chris Sale starts for Boston, looking to rebound from an ALDS Game 2 disaster against the Rays in which he lasted just one inning and allowed five runs.

Red Sox lineup (away)

1. CF Enrique Hernandez (R)
2. 1B Kyle Schwarber (L)
3. SS Xander Bogaerts (R)
4. 3B Rafael Devers (L)
5. DH J.D. Martinez (R)
6. RF Hunter Renfroe (R)
7. LF Alex Verdugo (L)
8. 2B Christian Arroyo (R)
9. C Christian Vasquez (R)

• LHP Chris Sale

Astros lineup (home)

1. 2B Jose Altuve (R)
2. LF Michael Brantley (L)
3. 3B Alex Bregman (R)
4. DH Yordan Alvarez (L)
5. SS Carlos Correa (R)
6. RF Kyle Tucker (L)
7. 1B Yuli Gurriel (R)
8. CF Chas McCormick (R)
9. C Martin Maldonado (R)

• LHP Framber Valdez

How To Watch

• Date: Friday, October 15
• Time: 5:07 p.m. PT
• TV: Fox