2018 American League Championship Series

The 2018 American League Championship Series was a best-of-seven series pitting the defending World Series champion Houston Astros against the Boston Red Sox, for the American League (AL) pennant and the right to play in the 2018 World Series. The series was played in a 2-3-2 format, with the first two and last two (if necessary) games played at the home ballpark of the higher seeded team.[1] The series was the 49th in league history, with TBS televising all games in the United States. The Red Sox defeated the Astros, in five games.

2018 American League Championship Series
Teams
Team (Wins) Manager Season Boston Red Sox (4) Alex Cora 108–54 (.667), 8 GA Houston Astros (1) A. J. Hinch 103–59 (.636), 6 GA
Dates	October 13–18
MVP	Jackie Bradley Jr. (Boston)
Umpires	Vic Carapazza, Mark Carlson, Chris Guccione, James Hoye (Games 1–2), Bill Miller (Games 3–5), Mark Wegner, Joe West (crew chief)
ALDS	Houston Astros defeated Cleveland Indians (3–0) Boston Red Sox defeated New York Yankees (3–1)
Broadcast
Television	TBS
TV announcers	Brian Anderson, Ron Darling and Lauren Shehadi
Radio	ESPN
Radio announcers	Jon Sciambi and Jessica Mendoza

For the second year in a row, Major League Baseball sold presenting sponsorships to all of its postseason series; as with the NLCS, this ALCS was sponsored by Google Assistant and was officially known as the American League Championship Series presented by Google Assistant.[2]

The Red Sox would go on to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series in five games to win their ninth World Series championship.

Background

The Astros won the American League West division with a record of 103–59, then swept the Cleveland Indians in the American League Division Series. This was the Astros' sixth League Championship Series and second in the American League, their prior AL appearance being a 2017 ALCS win over the New York Yankees in seven games. Houston also appeared in four NLCS, winning once and losing thrice, before joining the American League in 2013.

The Red Sox won the American League East division with a record of 108–54, then defeated the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series, 3–1. This was Boston's 11th ALCS. They had a prior record of 5–5, most recently winning in 2013 and most recently losing in 2008.

The 2018 ALCS was just the 12th postseason match-up to feature two teams with 100 wins, though the third since the 2017 World Series. The 211 combined regular season wins for both teams was the second-most of any postseason series ever, just behind the 1998 World Series. It was also the first ALCS to feature two 100-win teams since 1977,[3] when the New York Yankees (100–62) defeated the Kansas City Royals (102–60).

Boston and Houston had met once before in the postseason, with the Astros winning the 2017 ALDS, 3–1; that year Alex Cora was Houston's bench coach before becoming manager of Boston for the upcoming season. Houston was 4–3 in their seven games against Boston during the 2018 regular season.

Team statistics

For the 2018 regular season.[4][5]

Stat	Boston (MLB rank)	Houston (MLB rank)	Type
Batting average	.268 (1st)	.255 (7th)	Batting
OPS	.792 (1st)	.754 (7th)
Home runs	208 (9th)	205 (10th)
ERA	3.75 (8th)	3.11 (1st)	Pitching
Strikeouts	1,558 (4th)	1,687 (1st)
BAA	.237 (8th)	.217 (1st)

Summary

Boston won the series, 4–1.

Game	Date	Score	Location	Time	Attendance
1	October 13	Houston Astros – 7, Boston Red Sox – 2	Fenway Park	4:03	38,007[6]
2	October 14	Houston Astros – 5, Boston Red Sox – 7	Fenway Park	3:45	37,960[7]
3	October 16	Boston Red Sox – 8, Houston Astros – 2	Minute Maid Park	3:52	43,102[8]
4	October 17	Boston Red Sox – 8, Houston Astros – 6	Minute Maid Park	4:33	43,277[9]
5	October 18	Boston Red Sox – 4, Houston Astros – 1	Minute Maid Park	3:32	43,210[10]

Game summaries

Game 1

Justin Verlander allowed only two runs and two hits in six innings pitched during Game 1, getting the win.

October 13, 2018 8:10 pm (EDT) at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, 50 °F (10 °C), clear

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Houston	0	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	4	7	5	1
Boston	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	2	3	1
WP: Justin Verlander (1–0)   LP: Joe Kelly (0–1) Home runs: HOU: Josh Reddick (1), Yuli Gurriel (1) BOS: None Attendance: 38,007 Boxscore

Three time All-Star and two time World Series Champion Kevin Youkilis threw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Red Sox. The Astros struck first on a George Springer two-run single in the top of the second off of an erratic Chris Sale, eventually ending Sale's night after four innings. Verlander cruised through four innings before running into trouble in the fifth, walking Mitch Moreland with the bases loaded and allowing Jackie Bradley Jr. to score on a wild pitch to even the score at two. Verlander struck out Andrew Benintendi on a controversial called strike that resulted in Red Sox manager Alex Cora getting ejected in between innings. The Astros responded in the top of the sixth with a two-out RBI single by Carlos Correa after Joe Kelly hit Alex Bregman with a pitch and Yuli Gurriel reached on a fielding error by Eduardo Núñez. Verlander came back to retire the side in order in the sixth. The Astros and Red Sox would trade zeroes until the top of the ninth inning which was led off by a Josh Reddick home run off of Brandon Workman. Workman then, after getting an out, walked José Altuve and Alex Bregman before Yuli Gurriel hit a three-run home run to blow the game open at 7–2. The Red Sox ended the night having walked 10 Astros hitters and hitting three more. Collin McHugh came in to finish the game off and give the Astros a loud 1–0 lead in the series.

Game 2

A three-RBI double by Jackie Bradley Jr. gave the Red Sox a 5–4 lead in Game 2.

October 14, 2018 7:10 pm (EDT) at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, 55 °F (13 °C), partly cloudy

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Houston	0	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	5	7	1
Boston	2	0	3	0	0	0	1	1	X	7	9	0
WP: Matt Barnes (1–0)   LP: Gerrit Cole (0–1)   Sv: Craig Kimbrel (1) Home runs: HOU: Marwin González (1) BOS: None Attendance: 37,960 Boxscore

Jonny Gomes, a member of the 2013 World Series champion Red Sox, threw the ceremonial first pitch.[11] Mookie Betts doubled off Gerrit Cole and Andrew Benintendi singled him home to open the scoring for the Red Sox. Xander Bogaerts reached second on Cole's throwing error with one out in the first, then Rafael Devers singled home Benintendi for a 2–0 lead. Starting pitcher David Price allowed the Astros to get on the board in the second as Carlos Correa hit an infield single and Martín Maldonado doubled, with George Springer doubling them both home to tie it. An inning later, Yuli Gurriel singled and an out later, Marwin González homered over the Green Monster for a 4–2 lead. But the Red Sox struck back in the bottom of the inning. Bogaerts singled, Steve Pearce doubled and Devers walked to load the bases. One out later, Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a bases-clearing double to give the Red Sox a 5–4 lead, which they would never relinquish. Price would fall an out shy of being credited the victory, allowing four runs, five hits, and four walks. Matt Barnes relieved him in the fifth with two outs and retired the next four batters for the victory. In the seventh, after Betts walked, Lance McCullers Jr. threw a wild pitch, advancing Betts to second, then to third on a Maldonado passed ball. One out later, another Maldonado passed ball scored Betts to make it 6–4. The next inning saw Devers single to center; two outs later, Mitch Moreland singled, and A.J. Hinch immediately sent out Héctor Rondón to face Betts, who doubled to center, scoring Devers to extend their lead to three runs. Craig Kimbrel pitched the ninth, allowing a two-out double by Springer and a José Altuve RBI single to bring the Astros to within 7–5. Kimbrel then retired Alex Bregman, who flew out to Benintendi to end the game, earning his third save this postseason, and tying the series at one all.

Game 3

Steve Pearce hit a go-ahead home run in the 6th inning of Game 3.

October 16, 2018 4:10 pm (CDT) at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, 63 °F (17 °C), roof closed

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Boston	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	5	0	8	9	0
Houston	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	2	7	0
WP: Nathan Eovaldi (1–0)   LP: Joe Smith (0–1) Home runs: BOS: Steve Pearce (1), Jackie Bradley Jr. (1) HOU: None Attendance: 43,102 Boxscore

Former Astros All-Star player Lance Berkman threw the ceremonial first pitch.[12] Dallas Keuchel was Houston's starting pitcher, while Nathan Eovaldi started for Boston. The Red Sox jumped out to an early 2–0 lead in the top of the first inning, on two singles, a double, and an RBI ground out. The Astros responded in the bottom of the inning with a run on three singles, trimming Boston's lead to 2–1. Houston tied the game in the bottom of the fifth, as José Altuve worked a two-out walk and Alex Bregman drove him in with a double under the glove of Boston third baseman Rafael Devers. In the top of the sixth, Houston reliever Joe Smith took over from Keuchel, who had allowed two runs on four hits in five innings pitched. Smith allowed a home run to Steve Pearce, putting Boston back in the lead, 3–2, which they would never relinquish. In the bottom of the seventh, Ryan Brasier relieved Red Sox starter Eovaldi, who had allowed two runs on six hits in six innings pitched. With two outs in the top of the eighth, Boston had the bases loaded when pinch hitter Mitch Moreland was hit by a pitch from Roberto Osuna, forcing in a run. Jackie Bradley Jr. then hit a grand slam off of Osuna, putting Boston ahead, 8–2. The game ended without further scoring, George Springer striking out to end it. Eovaldi got the win for Boston, while Smith took the loss for Houston.

Game 4

Andrew Benintendi had two doubles, scored twice, and made a game-ending diving catch in Game 4.

October 17, 2018 7:40 pm (CDT) at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, 65 °F (18 °C), roof closed

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Boston	2	0	1	0	1	2	1	1	0	8	11	1
Houston	0	1	2	1	1	0	0	1	0	6	13	0
WP: Joe Kelly (1–1)   LP: Josh James (0–1)   Sv: Craig Kimbrel (2) Home runs: BOS: Jackie Bradley Jr. (2) HOU: George Springer (1), Tony Kemp (1) Attendance: 43,277 Boxscore

Former Astros player Chris Burke, who hit a series-winning home run in the 2005 NLDS, threw the ceremonial first pitch.[13] Charlie Morton started for Houston, his first postseason appearance this year. Boston scored two runs in the first inning, on a hit by pitch, walk, wild pitch, and a two-out RBI single by Rafael Devers. Rick Porcello started for Boston, his second start and fourth appearance of this postseason. In the bottom of the first, a deep drive and potential two-run homer to right field by José Altuve, which Mookie Betts nearly caught with a leaping grab at the wall, was ruled an out due to fan interference, when the correct call was made by right field umpire Joe West.[14] Houston got a run back in the bottom of the second, when Josh Reddick led off with a double, and scored on a single by Carlos Correa. In the top of the third, Andrew Benintendi hit a leadoff double, moved to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a double by Xander Bogaerts, giving the Red Sox a 3–1 lead. Josh James relieved Morton during the third, Morton having allowed three runs on three hits in ​2 ¹⁄₃ innings pitched. A George Springer home run to open the bottom of the third cut the lead to 3–2. Altuve then doubled, and was later driven in on a single by Reddick, evening the score, 3–3. A homer by Tony Kemp in the bottom of the fourth put the Astros ahead, 4–3. In the top of the fifth, Benintendi again doubled and was driven in by Bogaerts, tying the game at four all. Porcello, who had allowed four runs on seven hits, was relieved by Joe Kelly for the bottom of the fifth; Yuli Gurriel singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a single by Correa, putting the Astros back ahead, 5–4. Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a two-run homer in the top of the sixth, giving the Red Sox a 6–5 lead, which they would not relinquish. In the seventh, Boston added a run on a single and three walks. An inning later, Betts singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a single by J. D. Martinez, increasing Boston's lead to 8–5. In the bottom of the eighth, Alex Bregman was hit by a pitch, advanced to third on a Springer double, and scored on a ground out by Altuve, trimming Boston's lead to 8–6. Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel allowed three walks in the bottom of the ninth to load the bases, but got the final out on Benintendi's diving catch off a Bregman liner to left, for his fourth save this postseason.[15]

At four hours and 33 minutes, this was the second-longest nine-inning postseason game in MLB history;[16] 2017 NLDS Game 5 between the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals was four minutes longer.[17]

Game 5

Boston starter David Price struck out nine and got the Game 5 win, as Boston advanced to the World Series.

October 18, 2018 7:10 pm (CDT) at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, 67 °F (19 °C), roof closed

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Boston	0	0	1	0	0	3	0	0	0	4	8	0
Houston	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	5	1
WP: David Price (1–0)   LP: Justin Verlander (1–1)   Sv: Craig Kimbrel (3) Home runs: BOS: J. D. Martinez (1), Rafael Devers (1) HOU: Marwin González (2) Attendance: 43,210 Boxscore

Former Astros All-Star player Jeff Kent threw the ceremonial first pitch.[18] Justin Verlander, Game 1 winning pitcher, started for Houston, while David Price, who got a no decision in Game 2, started for Boston. Chris Sale did not start for Boston due to the effects of being ill after Game 1.[19] Boston took a 1–0 lead in the top of the third inning on a home run by J. D. Martinez, which they would not relinquish. In the top of the sixth, Mitch Moreland doubled, Ian Kinsler singled, and Rafael Devers homered into the Crawford Boxes, putting Boston ahead, 4–0. Houston reliever Roberto Osuna entered to pitch the top of the seventh, replacing Verlander who had allowed four runs on seven hits in six innings pitched, while striking out four and walking two. Boston's Matt Barnes entered to pitch the bottom of the seventh, replacing Price who had allowed no runs on three hits in six innings pitched, while striking out nine and walking none. Marwin González hit a two-out homer to left, reducing Boston's lead to 4–1. Boston's starter from Game 3, Nathan Eovaldi, came on in relief of Barnes, getting the final out of the seventh and holding Houston scoreless in the eighth. Osuna pitched through the ninth for Houston, allowing only one hit during his three innings. Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel entered to pitch the bottom of the ninth. Carlos Correa struck out, Yuli Gurriel walked, González struck out, and Tony Kemp flied out to end the game and send the Red Sox to the World Series. Kimbrel recorded his fifth save this postseason,[20] while for Price, it was his first victory in 12 career postseason starts; his only previous postseason wins came as a reliever. As for Houston, their World Series reign was over.

Boston's Jackie Bradley Jr., who had nine RBIs in the series on three hits (a double and two home runs), was named ALCS MVP.[21]

Composite line score

2018 ALCS (4–1): Boston Red Sox beat Houston Astros.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Houston Astros	1	5	4	1	2	1	1	1	5	21	37	3
Boston Red Sox	6	0	5	0	3	6	2	7	0	29	40	2
Total attendance: 205,556   Average attendance: 41,111

See also

• 2018 National League Championship Series

References

1. 2018 Major League Baseball postseason schedule. MLB.com. Retrieved on September 25, 2018.
2. Red Sox and Astros give us a star-studded American League Championship Series. sbnation.com. Retrieved on October 9, 2018.
3. Schoenfield, David (October 13, 2018). "Buckle up for an epic ALCS as 108-win Red Sox and 103-win Astros collide". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
4. Cotillo, Chris (October 12, 2018). "Red Sox-Astros 2018 ALCS preview: TV schedule, pitching matchups, keys to victory and more". masslive.com. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
5. http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/sortable.jsp
6. "Boxscore: Houston vs. Boston, Game 1". MLB.com. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
7. "Boxscore: Houston vs. Boston, Game 2". MLB.com. Retrieved October 14, 2018.
8. "Boxscore: Boston vs. Houston, Game 3". MLB.com. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
9. "Boxscore: Boston vs. Houston, Game 4". MLB.com. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
10. "Boxscore: Boston vs. Houston, Game 5". MLB.com. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
11. @RedSox (October 14, 2018). "Oh hey, Jonny Gomes!" (Tweet). Retrieved October 15, 2018 – via Twitter.
12. @KPRC2 (October 16, 2018). "Lance Berkman with a strike for the First Pitch!" (Tweet). Retrieved October 16, 2018 – via Twitter.
13. @brianmctaggart (October 17, 2018). "Chris Burke just threw the first pitch to Brandon Backe" (Tweet). Retrieved October 17, 2018 – via Twitter.
14. Blackburn, Pete (October 17, 2018). "Red Sox vs. Astros: Controversial fan interference plays huge role in first inning of Game 4". CBS Sports. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
15. Browne, Ian (October 18, 2018). "Benny Ballgame: Catch puts Sox a W from WS". MLB.com. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
16. Lindbergh, Ben (October 19, 2018). "October Amplifies the Worst of Baseball—So Why Are the Games So Good". The Ringer. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
17. "Team Batting Game Finder". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
18. @mooreonzach (October 18, 2018). "Jeff Kent w/the first pitch!" (Tweet). Retrieved October 18, 2018 – via Twitter.
19. Davidoff, Ken (October 18, 2018). "Red Sox have a dubious plan to finish off this ALCS". New York Post. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
20. "Boston Red Sox beat defending champions Astros to make World Series". Guardian. October 19, 2018. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
21. Stephen, Eric (October 19, 2018). "Jackie Bradley Jr. named ALCS MVP". SB Nation. Retrieved October 19, 2018.

Further reading

• "Gerry Davis, Joe West crew chiefs for league championships". Boston.com. AP. October 11, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
• Anderson, R. J. (October 15, 2018). "Chris Sale update: Red Sox ace held overnight at hospital due for stomach illness, Alex Cora says it's 'nothing serious'". CBS Sports. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
• Browne, Ian (October 13, 2018). "Sox announce ALCS roster with Moreland on it". MLB.com. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
• Dunphy, Mark (October 17, 2018). "Why the umpire ruled fan interference on a potential Mookie Betts home run-saving catch". Boston.com. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
• Footer, Alyson (October 18, 2018). "Fan interferes with Betts on potential Altuve HR". MLB.com. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
• Hawkins, Stephen (October 18, 2018). "What the Astros had to say about Joe West's controversial fan interference call". Boston.com. AP. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
• McTaggart, Brian (October 12, 2018). "Astros set ALCS roster, opt for 12th pitcher". MLB.com. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
• Rome, Chandler (October 19, 2018). "Repeat bid falls short as Astros lose to Red Sox in ALCS". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
• Yang, Nicole (October 19, 2018). "How David Price pitched in Game 5 of the ALCS". Boston.com. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
• Young, Matt (October 18, 2018). "Kate Upton tweets displeasure with umpires from her seat at Astros game". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved October 18, 2018.

External links

• 2018 Major League Baseball postseason schedule
• 2018 American League Championship Series at Baseball Reference