Cuban MLB Players News for the 2023 postseason. A compendium from several sources
Oct 10
American League Division Series
Rangers 7, Orioles 1
Adolis García walloped a three-run homer in the second inning on Tuesday night, powering the Rangers to a 7-1 victory over the Orioles in Game 3 of the ALDS — completing their sweep and sending the Rangers to the ALCS for the first time since 2011.
The Rangers came out with their bats blazing against right-hander Dean Kremer. García’s 418-foot (107.5 mph EV) three-run blast with two-outs in the second inning increased the Rangers’ early advantage to 6-0. The 30-year-old slugger also singled in the ballgame, finishing the night 2-for-4. For the postseason, García is hitting .292 (7-for-24) with a pair of homers, five RBI and three runs scored through his first five games. The Rangers will now await the winner of the Astros and Twins in the ALCS.
Aroldis Chapman worked the 8th inning.
In the eighth inning of the game where the Rangers were crowned winners of one of the ALDS, Aroldis Chapman pitched his 38th postseason relief appearance. Chapman, however, was ineffective. With two outs - one strikeout - and Gunnar Henderson on first base for a single, Chapman threw eight consecutive balls to Anthony Santander and Ryan Mountcastle, loading the bases. Manager Bruce Bochy quickly replaced the Cuban left-hander with closer José Leclerc, who overpowered Aaron Hicks on a grounder to first. Chapman has been lucky in this postseason, not allowing a run despite facing nine batters in 1 2/3 innings and allowing five to reach base.
Yennier Cano made his second postseason appearance.
Cano appeared in the eighth episode, replacing DL Hall, in a game I wish had more importance. He worked with two batters, accepting a single from the first man he faced, Josh Jung. He ended the inning by retiring Leody Taveras to cap his successful 2023 season. However, Cano finished this postseason with only 1 1/3 innings pitched, 2 hits, a walk and an earned run. This was for a staggering 6.75 ERA.
Rangers won the series 3-0
Astros 9, Twins 1
José Abreu blasted a pair of homers and drove in five runs, powering the Astros to a 9-1 victory over the Twins in Game 3 of the ALDS in Minnesota to take a 2-1 series lead.
The Astros jumped all over Sonny Gray in the opening inning of this one, with Abreu’s mammoth 442-foot blast (109.7 mph EV) increasing their early advantage to 4-0. It was the first home run that Sonny Gray had surrendered on a sweeper all season. The 36-year-old slugger then capped off the scoring in the ballgame with a 440-foot (110.2 mph EV) two-run blast off of Bailey Ober in the ninth inning. He finished the afternoon 2-for-5 and is now hitting .250 (3-for-12) with a pair of homers and six RBI in three postseason games. The Astros will attempt to close out the Twins and punch their ticket to the ALCS on Wednesday afternoon in Minnesota.
Yordan Álvarez went 3-for-5 with a solo homer, two doubles and two runs scored as the Astros walloped the Twins in Game 3 of the ALDS on Tuesday afternoon in Minnesota.
The 26-year-old reached on an error on a rocket that Alex Kirilloff couldn’t handle in the top half of the first inning, then rode home on José Abreu’s gargantuan three-run homer. He then led off the third inning with a double, but wound up stranded at third base. Álvarez also doubled off of Sonny Gray in the fifth inning, but the Astros were unable to cash him in. Álvarez then clobbered a 364-foot (97.9 mph EV) solo shot off of Bailey Ober in the nineth inning that increased the Astros’ lead to 7-1. It’s the fourth straight playoff game that Álvarez has homered in. He’s having an unbelievable postseason through three games — hitting .500 (6-for-12) with four homers, six RBI and six runs scored.
Astros lead the series 2-1
