Not so fast, my friend. 2-run homer for the D-Backs in the 6th, now 5-2.
For the Astros to advance they’d have to win 4 of the next 5 games, of course. Ain’t no way these Rangers are losing 4 of 5, not the way they’re playing. The Astros are done. The Rangers will advance. It’s just a matter of when.
The Astros might have some mental confidence about having swept the Rangers just a few months ago in Dallas by the combined score of 39-10.
All it takes to switch the mental momentum is one or two good innings.
If the Rangers keep trotting out Chapman in tight situations, he’ll blow a game or two. He tried in game one (couldn’t get much closer) and if they left him in for just a few more batters in game 2, Houston would have come back.
And Bochy knows that and is working with it. Brian Wilson, Giants closer, would blow save opportunities but he was on the mound when they won it all in 2010. Against the Texas Rangers, no less.
Bochy is a great manager, no doubt, but that could have easily been tie game on Bregman’s fly ball. Sure, he won’t let Chappy walk the bases loaded, but it doesn’t matter. He’ll find a way to blow it.
Phillies stole the DBacks lunch money last night. Just like they did to the Braves. But they’ll blow it now, no way they can win this thing.
Momentum is tomorrow’s starting pitcher. If anyone can win four out of five, it’s the Astros.
You’ll sometimes hear people talk about how you have to do the little things in the playoffs.
But really what you need to do is hit dingers. It seems to me that the big difference in the playoff is usually home runs. Teams that hit many dingers win playoff series. Not always, but it’s one of the clearest positive correlations.
The Phillies hit dingers.
Definitely agree. Small ball happens sometimes, the Phillies were doing that in Atlanta, but in the end it was all about ringing the bell.
FWIW, Phillies up 10-0 in the 8th. Some dingers, but a lot of base hits and running. The Phillies are looking very relaxed and loose. IMHO, that’s what champions look like.
Here’s hoping you’re right! WHOO! Total domination.
I do feel bad for the D’backs on the popup error. (CAN’T FIND (bleeping) freaking replay video!!).
Not complaining, but I’m a Cubs fan first, Red Sox for AL, a distant 4th for Dodgers. How many time has that happened? It’s like it’s false hypnotic? Each player thinks the other ones have it?
Perfect example of a common brain fart. Go, humans! 
Here’s a twitter link to the play. Clearly, Longoria should have been the one calling for it.
Thanks for the link. I didn’t watch the game. Yes that was Longo’s call all the way. He’s coming in, while the catcher is going out, and Longo has the best view of it. But the score was 8-0 at that point and the game was effectively over. But that’s no excuse.
like someone else tweeted, it was that kind of night for the D’backs.
Yes definitely. You don’t have a pitcher or catcher catch a popup if you can avoid it. That’s the standard rule of thumb.
Those two homers to kick it off made a big difference. Seems like the DBacks just gave up at some point, well before there were 10 runs. But the Phillies are about to blow it, they always do.
I guess blow it in the next game?? 
Maybe so. Maybe so. Kimbrel just gave up a game tying bomb in the bottom of the 8th.
The go-ahead runner is now aboard with 2 outs.
Two really, really good games to watch tonight. D-Backs come from 3 runs down in the 7th to win by one. Houston scores 3 in the ninth to win by one.