The Houston Astros, the surprise team of the regular season, need to have a short memory if they are to win their American League Division Series.
The decisive Game 5 is set for Wednesday in Kansas City after the Astros blew a chance to clinch Monday, squandering a four-run lead in the last two innings and falling 9-6 to the Royals.
Momentum in baseball typically only goes as far as the next game’s starting pitching, and for Wednesday’s Game 5, the Astros will go with Collin McHugh, who went 19-7 during the regular season. He has not absorbed a loss since Aug. 20, and he was the winning pitcher against the Royals in Game 2.
“McHugh is going to start Game 5, so he’ll be ready to go,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. “I’ll have everyone available in Game 5 that you would expect. Including (Scott) Kazmir.”
The Royals will counter with their key midseason acquisition, right-hander Johnny Cueto, who is 2-6 since Aug. 15, not including his loss in Game 2.
However, Cueto will have the home crowd on his side as well as the knowledge that his team is feeling awfully good after the Monday comeback.
“Hopefully we can just keep this riding into Game 5,” said Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer, who broke out his postseason slump with two hits, including a home run, and three RBIs on Monday.
Hinch expects his team to rebound from Monday’s disappointment, and he is happy there is an off day Tuesday, which may give his young team time to recover.
“We have just as good a chance to win Game 5 as the Royals,” he said. “And we’re going to hop on a plane, go work out tomorrow, and we’re going to show up ready to play in Game 5. It’s going to be an electric atmosphere in Kauffman Stadium.
“But it’s big-boy sport. We’ll adjust, and we will be ready to play.”
Hinch said he does not need a rousing pep talk to get his team ready.
“They don’t need to be told that this was a tough loss. They don’t need to be told that Game 5’s a big game,” he said. “We will show up with our personality. We’re going to give it everything we have to continue the season, as is the club across the way.”
Hosmer knows his team has momentum on its side, but that only goes so far.
“The way that Houston’s playing right now, these guys are playing lights-out ball,” Hosmer said. “They’re a young, energetic team.”