Luis Garcia picked a good time to have the best game of his young career.
After lasting just one inning in Game 2 of the ALCS, the Astros starter was dominant in Game 6 on Friday against the Red Sox, going 5 2/3 innings and giving up just one hit while striking out seven. Houston went on to down Boston 5-0 to advance to the World Series.
MORE: Explaining the mysterious light in ALCS Game 5
Garcia wasn't the only one who came up clutch for the Astros. Designated hitter Yordan Alvarez went 4 for 4 with two doubles, a single, a triple and an RBI to continue his torrid ALCS. He also had a run scored on heads-up baserunning. Alvarez was named ALCS MVP for his efforts, which included going 12 for 23 in the series and 9 for his last 12 at the dish.
Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker continued to succeed with two outs; he hit his second two-out, three-run home run of the series in the bottom of the eighth inning to make it 5-0.
The Red Sox got a strong outing from their starter, Nathan Eovaldi, as well. He lasted 4 1/3 innings, giving up one run on five hits and striking out four, including three straight with the bases loaded in the fourth inning. But for as good as Eovaldi was, the Red Sox's offense couldn't give him any run support. Boston was held to just two hits for the game by four Astros pitchers.
MORE: Scherzer scratched from NLCS Game 6 start due to fatigue
The Sox showed offensive prowess early in the series, scoring nine runs in Game 2 and 12 in Game 3, but were held in check after that (three runs total in the final three games).
This is Houston's third AL pennant in five years. The Astros will take on the winner of the Dodgers-Braves NLCS in the World Series, which starts Tuesday, Oct. 26.
Sporting News is tracked the live score, updates and highlights throughout Game 6 of the American League Championship Series. at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Below is complete coverage.
MORE: Watch postseason baseball live on fuboTV (7-day free trial)
Astros vs. Red Sox score
| SCORE | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | F |
| Red Sox | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Astros | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | X | 5 |
Astros vs. Red Sox live updates
Top ninth
11:38 p.m.: It's over. Xander Bogaerts flies out to left field and sends the Astros to the World Series for the third time in five years.
11:36 p.m.: Ryan Pressly strikes out Rafael Devers on a nasty breaking pitch. One out left for Houston.
11:34 p.m.: Kiké Hernandez flies out to Chas McCormick in centerfield. Two outs remaining for the Astros.
Bottom eighth
11:29 p.m.: Gurriel steals second but McCormick pops out to end the eighth. Astros are three outs away from being World Series bound
11:27 p.m. Following the Tucker homer, Yuli Gurriel sends a single to left field and the Astros' success with two outs continues.
11:25 p.m.: HOME RUN ASTROS as Kyle Tucker launches a three-run shot with two outs in the eighth to make it a 5-0 Astros lead.
Made their bed, now we Tuck 'em in. #ForTheH pic.twitter.com/D7TENGnqSL
— Houston Astros (@astros) October 23, 2021
11:21 p.m.: Correa sends a chopper to Devers who gets the force at third, but allows Correa to reach on the fielders choice and sends Alvarez to second. Two outs now in the bottom of the eighth.
11:16 p.m.: Alvarez Is 4-for-4 tonight as he sends a ball up in the zone right back up the middle for a single. Sends Michael Brantley to second and sends Tanner Houck packing for the Red Sox.
11:14 p.m.: Bregman pops it up for the first out of the inning.
11:12 p.m.: Brantley singles on a sharp line drive to center field to open the eighth inning.
Top eighth
11:07 p.m.: Schwarber pops it up to Correa on the infield. The Astros are due up in the bottom of the eighth up 2-0.
11:02 p.m.: Ryne Stanek jams Vazquez and pops out to first baseman Yuli Gurriel.
10:58 p.m.: Bobby Dalbec flies out to centerfielder Chas McCormick.
Top seventh
10:45 p.m.: Martin Maldonado makes the throw of the series. The Houston catcher nabs Alex Verdugo for an inning-ending strike-'em-out, throw-'em-out double play that keeps Boston off the board. The Sox put runners at the corners with one out, but then Travis Shaw swung through a 3-2 pitch from Graveman and Maldonado nailed Verdugo, who had taken off for second, with a laser-like throw.
STRIKE 'EM OUT, THROW 'EM OUT pic.twitter.com/FjZO69tg7m
— MLB (@MLB) October 23, 2021
10:31 p.m.: Kendall Graveman strikes out Xander Bogaerts looking to start the seventh.
Bottom sixth
10:25 p.m.: The inning comes to a close with the damage limited to just one run. Kendall Graveman in to pitch the top of the seventh for the Astros.
10:22 p.m.: The Astros hit into a double play but a run scores to make it 2-0 Astros. Ball was lined to first and Correa got caught too far off the bag and Schwarber put on the tag to get the out.
Heads up base running by Yordan Álvarez to score on this hard hit ball to 1st! @astros lead 2-0! pic.twitter.com/gYFcrpQvTe
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 23, 2021
10:17 p.m.: Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck hits Correa, the fist batter he's faced tonight. Puts runners on the corners and no outs.
10:12 p.m.: Yordan Alvarez with his third extra-base hit of the game, this one a leadoff triple pulled into right field and he's in to third standing up.
🚨 YORDAN ALVAREZ STAND UP TRIPLE 🚨 #ForTheH pic.twitter.com/xloaOG2Auy
— Houston Astros (@astros) October 23, 2021
so, why was RF Hunter Renfroe playing Álvarez... in that position?
— Sung Min Kim (@sung_minkim) October 23, 2021
here's the spray chart on his batted balls vs. LHP's. way more line drives/flyballs concentrated towards LF/CF. pic.twitter.com/DC9cxl30XU
10:10 p.m.: Christian Vazquez Is in behind the dish at catcher for the Red Sox
Top sixth
10:05 p.m.: Phil Maton called in to pitch for Garcia and get the final out of the inning and forces a high fly out to Correa. One pitch out of the bullpen and the damage is limited.
10:02 p.m.: Garcia gives up his first hit of the game and it's a big one — a triple that carems off the wall on a four-seamer. Garcia's night is done.
9:58 p.m.: Schwarber sends a deep fly ball to left center but Brantley is there to make the play. Two outs in the top of the sixth.
9:56 p.m.: Garcia strikes out Santana on a beautiful changeup, his seventh K of the game. Still yet to allow a hit.
9:55 p.m.: Danny Santana comes in to pinch hit for Kevin Plawecki
Bottom fifth
9:52 p.m.: Through five full innings as Taylor induces a grounder by Bregman to end the inning.
9:48 p.m.: Taylor's first pitch results in Brantley reaching on a fielder's choice. Impressive slide into second for Devers to get the out but Brantley beats it out to first.
Rafael Devers saves a bad throw by Kyle Schwarber which keeps the Sox from turning two pic.twitter.com/u4GEAW4391
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 23, 2021
RED SOX PITCHING CHANGE: Josh Taylor replaces Nate Eovaldi
9:45 p.m.: Altuve chases a cutter that he had no chance of hitting for the first out and the final out of Eovaldi's night.
Nathan Eovaldi's night is done after allowing just 1 run in 4.1 IP. pic.twitter.com/qmoOb2ek63
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 23, 2021
9:42 p.m.: Catcher Martin Maldonado lines one to left field for a base hit, his first of the series. One on, no out to start the bottom of the fifth.
Top fifth
9:37 p.m.: Garcia records back-to-back K's as Renfroe goes down swinging at the cutter.
9:35 p.m.: Another strikeout for Garcia as he gets Arroyo to chase an ugly cutter down and out of the zone.
9:33 p.m.: Verdugo lines It right into the shift where Alex Bregman has him played perfectly for the first out.
Bottom fourth
9:29 p.m.: Eovaldi strikes out the side as McCormick chases the curveball. Eovaldi quickly got into and out of trouble and it remains a 1-0 lead.
9:27 p.m.: Yuli Gurriel draws the Intentional walk to load the bases for Chas McCormick. Two outs and the Astros are clinging to a 1-0 lead.
9:26 p.m.: Another K for Eovaldi as he gets Kyle Tucker to chase the curveball. Two outs.
9:23 p.m.: Eovaldi notches his first K of the night as Correa chases out of the zone for the first out of the inning.
9:20 p.m.: Alvarez hits his second double of the game, taking this one the opposite way against the shift. Runners on second and third with no outs to start the fourth.
9:16 p.m.: Bregman with his second hit of the day to lead off the third. He pulls a four-seamer on the ground to give the Astros a baserunner.
Top fourth
9:13 p.m.: Garcia continues mowing down the Red Sox. Gets his fourth K of the game and gets Martinez to chase for the second time. He pulls the string on an 89 mph cutter to end the inning.
Luis Garcia looking good through 4 💪 pic.twitter.com/JgL3nCHAxX
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 23, 2021
9:10 p.m.: Bogaerts quickly grounds out to Bregman for the second out.
9:08 p.m.: Rafael Devers skies it to Correa on the infield for the first out.
Bottom third
9:04 p.m.: It's a seven-pitch AB for Michael Brantley, who gets jammed and pops it up to end the inning. Longest AB of the game by either side so far.
9:00 p.m.: Altuve swings at the first pitch yet again, this one an easy fly out to the center fielder Hernandez. Two down.
8:59 p.m.: Catcher Martin Maldonado grounds out to start the Astros' half of the third.
Top third
8:54 p.m.: Hernandez flies out to center fielder Chas McCormick to end the top of the third. Garcia's at 41 pitches and has 29 strikes so far.
8:53 p.m.: Garcia gets his third K of the game and second against Kyle Schwarber. This one on a 97.5 mph four-seamer.
8:51 p.m.: Yuli Gurriel saves an error after the ball kicks off Alex Bregman's glove and he overthrows it. Gurriel still able to come down with it and applies the tag. One out here in the top of the third.
Bottom second
8:46 p.m.: Alex Verdugo flashes the leather and makes an impressive sliding catch to end the second inning. Astros still lead 1-0.
ALEX VERDUGO WITH A NICE GRAB IN THE GAP! #RedSox | #DirtyWater | #MLB pic.twitter.com/mRvYz0VgKs
— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) October 23, 2021
8:45 p.m.: Yuli Gurriel flies out easily to Hernandez and this inning is breezing by.
8:44 p.m.: Kyle Tucker grounds out to start the bottom of the second.
Top second
8:40 p.m.: No harm done after Verdugo reached on the walk as Hunter Renfroe pops up to Altuve to end the inning.
8:38 p.m.: Two outs now for the Red Sox as Arroyo pops up to Altuve. He didn't see a pitch in the zone in the entire at-bat.
8:34 p.m.: Garcia walks Alex Verdugo on five pitches. He's the first batter Garcia fell behind to this point.
8:31 p.m.: Garcia gets his second K of the game on a 97.2 m.p.h fastball. Garcia saw four four-seamers all for strikes and a cutter for a ball. Velocity well over 96 on the four-seamers.
Bottom of the first
8:28 p.m: This time the ball's hit to Hernandez again but he has no problems with it as Carlos Correa flies out to end the first inning.
8:25 p.m.: DOUBLE for Alvarez as the ball hits right off the heel of Hernandez's glove and drops. Bregman scores and it's 1-0 Astros with two outs in the bottom of the first.
Yordan Alvarez stays hot, and Houston (-110) strikes first in Game 6! 🔥
— TwinSpires Sportsbook 💵 (@TS_Sportsbook) October 23, 2021
Astros to score first (+123) 💵
Alvarez Over 0.5 RBI (+130) 💵 #DirtyWater | #ForTheH pic.twitter.com/Y8drz7EEX9
8:24 p.m.: Alex Bregman takes a 1-0 slider and drives it left field for a single and the first hit of the game. Two outs in the bottom of the first with Yordan Alavarez up.
8:23 p.m.: Michael Brantley pops out to Arroyo and Eovaldi's gotten two outs on three pitches so far.
8:22 p.m.: Altuve swings at the first pitch and grounds It to Christian Arroyo who's there for an easy out.
Top of the first
8:18 p.m.: Bogaerts grounds out to Bregman on a one-hopper and he makes the easy throw to first for the third and final out. Astros due up now in the bottom of the first
8:16 p.m.: Schwarber advances to third on a flyout to center field after a nice tag up. Brings up Xander Bogaerts with two outs and a man on third.
8:11 p.m.: Altuve makes a nice diving play to save a hit by Kiké Hernandez and throws him out at first from his knees. Schwarber advances to second.
José Altuve oh my goodness pic.twitter.com/AeBfpWXiSK
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 23, 2021
8:10 p.m.: Schwarber strikes out on a breaking ball in the dirt, but it's a wild pitch that Martin Maldonado can't hang on to. Schwarber hustles down to first and it gives the Red Sox their first baserunner of the game.
8:09 p.m.: Kyle Schwarber will lead things off for Boston against Luis Garcia. According to Fox's Ken Rosenthal, Garcia will have a short leash tonight and it could be a bullpen game for the Astros.
What channel is Astros vs. Red Sox on today?
- TV channel: FS1
- Live stream: Fox Sports app | fuboTV (7-day free trial)
Fox will continue its coverage of the American League postseason with the airing of ALCS Game 6. Joe Buck will be calling play-by-play with John Smoltz and Jeff Francoeur providing analysis. Tom Verducci and Ken Rosenthal will be the field reporters.
Those hoping to stream the game can find it on the Fox Sports app or on fuboTV, which offers a 7-day free trial .
In Canada, all postseason games are available on Sportsnet and SN1.
Astros vs. Red Sox start time
- Date: Friday, Oct. 22
- First pitch: 8:08 p.m. ET
Astros vs. Red Sox is scheduled to start at 8:08 p.m. ET on Friday.
MLB playoff schedule 2021
National League
Wild-card game
| Date | Game | Start time | TV channel | Result |
| Wed., Oct. 6 | Cardinals at Dodgers | 8:10 p.m. | TBS | 3-1, LAD |
Division Series
TBS will handle the broadcast for all NLDS games in both series.
| Date | Game | Start time | TV channel | Result |
| Fri., Oct. 8 | Dodgers at Giants, Game 1 | 9:37 p.m. | TBS | 4-0, SF |
| Fri., Oct. 8 | Braves at Brewers, Game 1 | 4:37 p.m. | TBS | 2-1, MIL |
| Sat., Oct. 9 | Dodgers at Giants, Game 2 | 9:07 p.m. | TBS | 9-2, LAD |
| Sat., Oct. 9 | Braves at Brewers, Game 2 | 5:07 p.m. | TBS | 3-0, ATL |
| Mon., Oct. 11 | Giants at Dodgers, Game 3 | 9:37 p.m. | TBS | 1-0, SF |
| Mon., Oct. 11 | Brewers at Braves, Game 3 | 1:07 p.m. | TBS | 3-0, ATL |
| Tue., Oct. 12 | Giants at Dodgers, Game 4 | 9:07 p.m. | TBS | 7-2, LAD |
| Tue., Oct. 12 | Brewers at Braves, Game 4 | 5:15 p.m. | TBS | 5-4, ATL |
| Thu., Oct. 14 | Dodgers at Giants, Game 5* | 9:07 p.m. | TBS | 2-1, LAD |
*If necessary
Championship Series
TBS will continue its National League playoff coverage with coverage of every NLCS game.
| Date | Game | Start time | TV channel | Result |
| Sat., Oct. 16 | Dodgers at Braves, Game 1 | 8:07 p.m. | TBS | 3-2, ATL |
| Sun., Oct. 17 | Dodgers at Braves, Game 2 | 7:38 p.m. | TBS | 5-4, ATL |
| Tue., Oct. 19 | Braves at Dodgers, Game 3 | 5:08 p.m. | TBS | 6-5, LAD |
| Wed., Oct. 20 | Braves at Dodgers, Game 4 | 8:08 p.m. | TBS | 9-2, ATL |
| Thu., Oct. 21 | Braves at Dodgers, Game 5 | 8:08 p.m. | TBS | 11-2, LAD |
| Sat., Oct. 23 | Dodgers at Braves, Game 6 | 5:08 p.m. | TBS | -- |
| Sun., Oct. 24 | Dodgers at Braves, Game 7* | 7:38 p.m. | TBS | -- |
* If necessary.
American League
Wild-card game
| Date | Game | Start time | TV channel | Result |
| Tue., Oct. 5 | Yankees at Red Sox | 8:08 p.m. | ESPN | 6-2, BOS |
Division Series
MLB Network and FS1 will carry all the ALDS games, until potential Game 5s, which would be broadcast exclusively on FS1.
| Date | Game | Start time | TV channel | Result |
| Thu., Oct. 7 | Red Sox at Rays, Game 1 | 8:07 p.m. | FS1 | 5-0, TB |
| Thu., Oct. 7 | White Sox at Astros, Game 1 | 4:07 p.m. | FS1 | 6-1, HOU |
| Fri., Oct. 8 | Red Sox at Rays, Game 2 | 7:02 p.m. | FS1 | 14-6, BOS |
| Fri., Oct. 8 | White Sox at Astros, Game 2 | 2:07 p.m. | MLB Network | 9-4, HOU |
| Sun., Oct. 10 | Rays at Red Sox, Game 3 | 4:07 p.m. | MLB Network | 6-4 (13), BOS |
| Sun., Oct. 10 | Astros at White Sox, Game 3 | 8:07 p.m. | FS1 | 12-6, CHI |
| Mon., Oct. 11 | Rays at Red Sox, Game 4 | 7:07 p.m. | FS1 | 6-5, BOS |
| Tue., Oct. 12 | Astros at White Sox, Game 4 | 2:07 p.m. | FS1 | 10-1, HOU |
*If necessary.
Championship Series
Fox and FS1 will split coverage of the ALCS.
| Date | Game | Start time | TV channel | Result |
| Fri., Oct. 15 | Red Sox at Astros, Game 1 | 8:07 p.m. | Fox | 5-4, HOU |
| Sat., Oct. 16 | Red Sox at Astros, Game 2 | 4:20 p.m. | Fox | 9-5, BOS |
| Mon., Oct. 18 | Astros at Red Sox, Game 3 | 8:07 p.m. | Fox/FS1 | 12-3, BOS |
| Tue., Oct. 19 | Astros at Red Sox, Game 4 | 8:08 p.m. | FS1 | 9-2, HOU |
| Wed., Oct. 20 | Astros at Red Sox, Game 5 | 5:08 p.m. | FS1 | 9-1, HOU |
| Fri., Oct. 22 | Red Sox at Astros, Game 6 | 8:08 p.m. | FS1 | -- |
| Sat., Oct. 23 | Red Sox at Astros, Game 7* | 8:08 p.m. | Fox/FS1 | -- |
* If necessary.
World Series schedule
Every World Series game will be on Fox.
| Date | Game | Start time | TV channel | Result |
| Tue., Oct. 26 | TBD at TBD, Game 1 | TBD | Fox | -- |
| Wed., Oct. 27 | TBD at TBD, Game 2 | TBD | Fox | -- |
| Fri., Oct. 29 | TBD at TBD, Game 3 | TBD | Fox | -- |
| Sat., Oct. 30 | TBD at TBD, Game 4 | TBD | Fox | -- |
| Sun., Oct. 31 | TBD at TBD, Game 5* | TBD | Fox | -- |
| Tue., Nov. 2 | TBD at TBD, Game 6* | TBD | Fox | -- |
| Wed., Nov. 3 | TBD at TBD, Game 7* | TBD | Fox | -- |
* If necessary.