The Boston Red Sox fell 8-2 at the hands of the Houston Astros on Thursday, and now the Red Sox could be facing an elimination game upon their return to Fenway on Sunday.
First pitch of Game 2 takes place at 2 p.m. EST Oct. 6 on Fox Sports 1 with Joe Davis, David Cone and A.J Pierzynski on the call from Minute Maid Park.
Here in Manchester, Comcast subscribers can watch Fox Sports 1 on Channel 250.
The game will be on the radio locally on WEEI, 103.7 FM with Tim Neverett and Joe Castiglione.
If you’re here in Manchester and watching or listening to today’s game, but haven’t been following the Red Sox this season, here are a few things to watch for.
The Altuve Show
In Game 1, Likely American League MVP Jose Altuve became just the ninth man in Major League History to hit three home runs in a post-season game, two of which came off Red Sox ace Chris Sale.
The last person to hit three home runs in one post-season game was Pablo Sandoval, who did it during the 2012 World Series.
If Altuve duplicated the feat today, he’d become only the second person to do it twice, after Babe Ruth accomplished the task twice against the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1920s.
Boston’s Rotation Comes into Focus
Doug Fister has been named as Boston’s Game 3 starter, ending speculation on who would follow Game 2 starter Drew Pomeranz.
Starters have not yet been named for Game 4 or 5, and despite starting 33 games during the regular season, Rick Porcello might not be one of those starters, pitching an inning of relief on Thursday.
Despite his poor start on Thursday, it’s entirely likely that Sale could be pressed back into service later in the series on short rest given the rotation’s uncertainty in recent weeks.
Dallas in Houston
Going up against Pomeranz is Dallas Keuchel (14-5, 2.90 ERA). Keuchel will be facing Boston for the first time this year. His last appearance against the Red Sox was at Fenway Park on May 12, 2016. There he gave up eight runs off ten hits over six innings, the most runs he gave up in any appearance last year.
Get Well Soon, Eduardo
Outfielder Chris Young has been approved as a replacement for Eduardo Nunez. Nunez left Thursday’s game after aggravating a sprained ligament in his right knee.
Nunez missed all but one of the Red Sox’ final 20 regular season games and had to be carried off the field following his first at-bat against the Astros.
He would be eligible to return to play with the Red Sox if they made the World Series.
