ALCS Game 4: Astros send Jose Urquidy to mound as Rangers likely enlist bullpen arms

ARLINGTON, Texas (KTRK) — Here’s a fair question: would the Astros’ magic from Game 3 of the American League Championship Series hold over into Game 4 on Thursday night?

Well, both Houston and the Texas Rangers got that answer right out of the gate.

The ‘Stros strung together four hits through their first four batters – including a Jose Altuve double, a Mauricio Dubon single, an Alex Bregman RBI triple, and a Yordan Alvarez RBI single – to score three runs before the first out was recorded in the first inning.

The Rangers were expected to use a platoon of bullpen arms in Game 4, starting with Andrew Heaney, who got the hook after the game’s first two outs and seeing seven batters, five of whom got on base.

Houston continued the threat with bases loaded in the same inning, but Texas relief pitcher Dane Dunning struck out Martin Maldonado to strike out the side and hold Houston’s lead to 3-0.

ALCS Game 4 is in progress. Check back and refresh this story as big moments from the game are added.

The Houston Astros are indeed the road warriors.

With the pressure of an 0-2 hole hanging over them in Game 3, the playoff-tested team, like the protagonist in the post-apocalyptic Mad Max saga, entered the metaphorical “Thunderdome” of Arlington’s Globe Life Field, swung blow for blow with the feisty Texas Rangers, and squeaked out a win.

What the ‘Stros earned was much-needed momentum entering Thursday evening’s Game 4 clash, which will be played with the retractable roof open.

The video in the player above is from after ALCS Game 3.

At one point, though, a late change could have stopped an open-air game in its tracks.

Astros manager Dusty Baker told ABC13’s Adam Winkler that an “agreement is in place” to keep not just Globe Life’s roof shut but also Minute Maid Park’s for the rest of the ALCS.

But by 6:30 p.m., the roof slowly slid open.

Game 4 is underway.

ABC13 Sports is giving you a preview of another must-win for the Astros, this time, though, fresh off a victory.

Dubón gets a shot in the two-hole

Mauricio Dubón, welcome to almost the top of the batting order in the ALCS.

Baker is going with the 24-year-old newly-minted two-time Gold Glove Award finalist as the No. 2 hitter in Game 4, a day after inserting Michael Brantley, who was hitless in Game 3, in that spot.

Dubón hit second in four starts this past season, but Baker is banking on his Game 4 centerfielder, who has six hits in 12 at-bats this postseason. Dubón went three-for-four on Wednesday night, driving in a run in the process.

Elsewhere, Chas McCormick is taking Brantley’s spot in left field, and Kyle Tucker remains the six-hole batter. The AL RBI leader registered a hit, three walks, and a run in Game 3.

Astros likely facing a Rangers bullpen game

The legendary managers of both teams know what challenge they have before them in Game 4.

For Baker, he’s trying to put his Astros team in position to snatch another road victory, and his belief will be in starting pitcher Jose Urquidy, whom the Houston dugout leader had full confidence in during the Mexican right-hander’s last outing on Oct. 11 in Minnesota.

Baseball observers noted Baker kept Urquidy for five and two-thirds innings in the AL Division Series clincher despite his pitcher being rocked with homers early and late into his start.

Urquidy’s opposition in that game was slew of bullpen arms that had a solid game but couldn’t overcome a hot-hitting Jose Abreu.

Astros fans are hoping of another advantageous night when Houston’s batters face a slew of the Rangers’ bullpen hurlers.

Texas manager Bruce Bochy will lean on left-handed reliever Andrew Heaney to open Game 4, which likely means the pitcher may throw in the first two or three innings before giving way to the next arm.

Heaney was the opener in the Rangers’ ALDS Game 1 win against Baltimore, which was a close 3-2 contest that featured six Texas pitchers. He faced 14 batters in three and two-thirds innings before exiting.

Houston’s key is to get at Heaney from the jump. The Astros hung five runs on Game 3 starter Max Scherzer, including a solo home run to Jose Altuve, before the former Cy Young Award winner left. So, Urquidy and the Astros bullpen would appreciate the run support.

For what it’s worth, Altuve, who will be playing his 100th career postseason game Thursday, and Alex Bregman own the most at-bats among the current Astros lineup against Heaney, which combined is 72. They’ve been able to register 33 combined hits when they faced the Oklahoma City native all-time.

The Astro with the next-most at-bats, Abreu, has the most home runs and runs batted in against Heaney at four and nine, respectively.

MMP open for Game 4 watch party

The Juice Box is cracked open for ‘Stros fans on Wednesday night, given the limited availability of the channel on which Game 4 will air.

You can claim a $2 voucher for the Game 4 watch party on the ‘Stros website. The event begins at 5 p.m., and guests won’t be allowed to enter the ballpark until 90 minutes after first-pitch.

Game 5 vouchers are also available for Game 5 on Friday, which begins at 2 p.m. for a 4:07 p.m. first-pitch.

2023 ALCS schedule and results, Texas leads 2-1 in best-of-seven series

• Game 1: Rangers 2, Astros 0
• Game 2: Rangers 5, Astros 4
• Game 3: Astros 8, Rangers 4
• Game 4: Astros at Rangers, Thursday, 7:03 p.m.
• Game 5: Astros at Rangers, Friday, 4:07 p.m.
• Game 6: Rangers at Astros, Sunday, 7:03 p.m.*
• Game 7: Rangers at Astros, Monday, Oct. 23, 7:03 p.m.*

* – if necessary

All times are Central Time.

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