MINNEAPOLIS — The American League Division Series (ALDS) between the Minnesota Twins and the Houston Astros is locked at 1-1 as the series shifts to Minnesota for Game 3, where the Twins aim to continue their home playoff success.
The Twins have been perfect at home in the postseason, winning both of their home games during their series against the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL wild-card series. These victories marked the end of an 18-game postseason losing streak and their first playoff series win since 2004.
Carlos Correa has played a pivotal role in the Twins’ resurgence in the postseason. The shortstop, who spent his first seven seasons with the Astros, is hitting an impressive .533 with three doubles and four RBIs in four postseason games in 2023. Correa expressed the satisfaction of beating his former team at their own ballpark but emphasized that the ultimate goal is to win the series.
Astros right-hander Cristian Javier will take the mound for Game 3. Javier had a solid regular season, going 10-5 with a 4.56 ERA in 31 starts. He is a postseason veteran, boasting a 4-1 record with a 2.20 ERA in 14 playoff appearances, including a crucial win in the World Series last season.
On the opposing side, the Twins will rely on right-hander Sonny Gray, who will be making his second start of the postseason. Gray delivered a strong performance in his previous outing, pitching five scoreless innings in a win over the Blue Jays. In the regular season, he posted an 8-8 record with a 2.79 ERA over 184 innings in 32 starts.
Both teams are poised for a fierce battle in Game 3, knowing that victory would put them one step closer to advancing in the playoffs. Correa and his teammates are aware of the Astros’ determination to bounce back, and the series promises to be a highly competitive affair.
Astros manager Dusty Baker is optimistic about his team’s chances, saying, “We’ve still got to win two more games in this series. It’s going to be a good one. We’ve got a great team on the other side.”
As the series unfolds, fans can expect an exciting matchup between the Twins and the Astros in Game 3, with both teams vying for a crucial advantage in this closely contested ALDS.
