McCullers escapes early Seattle threat

3:48 p.m. — Home-plate umpire Marvin Hudson is asking a decent strike zone, which led to Lance McCullers Jr. strolling Mitch Haniger in an instant after Cal Raleigh walked to steer off the second one inning. But with runners at the corners, McCullers struck out Jarred Kelenic on a changeup to cap a 22-pitch inning. — Danielle Lerner

3:46 p.m. — Consecutive walks to begin the second one inning have runners on first and 2nd for the Mariners and Lance McCullers Jr. visibly annoyed with home-plate umpire Marvin Hudson’s strike zone. — Greg Rajan

3:32 p.m. — After Kyle Tucker and Yuli Gurriel struck consecutive singles off Seattle starter George Kirby, Trey Mancini struck out on 3 pitches to pause any momentum Houston received. Dating again to the common season, Mancini is now 4 for his previous 50, inviting marvel how lengthy supervisor Dusty Baker can stay penciling him into the beginning lineup. — Chandler Rome

3:22 p.m. — An eight-pitch first inning for Lance McCullers Jr., who retired the facet so as together with a strikeout of Julio Rodriguez on an 83 mph slider. The Astros have a 3-1 report in McCullers’ ALDS begins. — Danielle Lerner

3:21 p.m. — How do you assist quiet a raucous ballpark? By throwing a clean, rapid backside of the primary inning in Game 3.

The Astros’ bats went via 3 fast outs on Saturday afternoon. Lance McCullers Jr. did the similar, permitting his protection to assist him and quieting T-Mobile Park — till the Astros returned to the plate once more. — Brian T. Smith

3:19 p.m. — Jose Altuve is now 0-for-9 within the ALDS after a popout within the first inning. That the Astros are a win clear of advancing regardless of this can be a testomony to how neatly Jeremy Peña and Yuli Gurriel have swung the bat in Altuve’s absence. — Chandler Rome

2:58 p.m. — The Mariners are pulling out the entire stops for his or her first domestic playoff sport in 21 years. Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready performed the nationwide anthem ahead of longtime Seattle ace Felix Hernandez emerged from middle box to throw a ceremonial first pitch. — Chandler Rome

2:47 p.m. — The acquainted sound is again. T-Mobile Park was once rocking and a Mariners fan was once celebrated.

Then the Astros walked out in their dugout for pregame introductions and the boos returned. Jose Altuve was once booed. Yordan Alvarez was once booed. Even Chas McCormick won the native remedy.

A “Cheaters” chant additionally serenaded the street group as Astros gamers, coaches and group of workers contributors stretched from 3rd base to the batter’s field.
Then Seattle was once presented, a “Let’s go Mariners” chant adopted and the boos stopped. For just a little. — Brian T. Smith

2:26 p.m. — San Diego is main the 111-win Los Angeles Dodgers. Atlanta is in bother in opposition to Philadelphia. Cleveland is maintaining its personal in opposition to the New York Yankees whilst Aaron Judge struggles. The Astros input Saturday as the one higher-seeded playoff group benefiting from its benefit.

Has the entire further leisure performed a task in an upside-down begin to the expanded playoffs in 2022?

Astros supervisor Dusty Baker mentioned, sure, and that his 2-0 membership has additionally been suffering from the additional down time.

“I think it’s affected everybody. The whole thing was an experiment. Nobody really knew,” Baker mentioned. “But from my revel in with the Dodgers, and our teacher used to let us know, it most effective takes you a pair days to more or less get started declining to your timing. I discovered that to be such. 

“I could tell that some of our guys weren’t a 100 percent timing-wise. They were strong, but I could tell, like, not going to admit it, but like Altuve and some of the guys were off a little bit. And then it got better as that first game went on, and then we were better in that second game. But we had a day off and then we got better, and then we had another day off. So we’ll see how we are (Saturday).” — Brian T. Smith

2:17 p.m. — Seattle desires a Game 5, which would offer two playoff video games within the Pacific Northwest for the primary time since 2001. In a great international, the Astros shut out this ALDS on a smoky Saturday inside of T-Mobile Park and fly again to Houston to leisure ahead of internet hosting Game 1 of the ALCS.

The superb solution to way a 2-0 lead on a possible sweep day inside of a noisy, excited, opposing ballpark? Play such as you’re the group that should win Game 3 and take an early lead, taking the house crowd out of the competition.

“It would be huge if we can take an early lead,” Astros middle fielder Chas McCormick mentioned. “Even though we’re up 2-0, maybe to even thinking like we’re playing like we’re down 0-2 because, again, Seattle’s a great team and they will battle until the last out, the last pitch. We just got to play our same game we’ve been playing all year. And, yes, if we get a little early lead or a little early momentum, it will be huge for us.” — Brian T. Smith

1:51 p.m. — The Astros went 12-7 in opposition to the Mariners within the common season, together with a 5-4 report in video games at T-Mobile Park. The surroundings these days, because the ballpark hosts its first playoff sport in 21 years, shall be raucous. More than 3 hours ahead of first pitch this morning, the realm surrounding the stadium was once already filled with enthusiasts. Astros middle fielder Chas McCormick mentioned the group is able to embody the drive.

“We’ve played in some hostile environments so we’re ready for it,” he mentioned. “We’re looking forward to it. We’re going to have fun with it.” — Danielle Lerner

1:32 p.m. — No marvel, however the Mariners plan to begin Logan Gilbert in the event that they drive a Game 4. Gilbert shall be on complete leisure after beginning Game 1, right through which he struck out 5 in 5 1/3 innings of three-run ball. — Chandler Rome

1 p.m. — The plan is to open the roof at T-Mobile Park these days. This stadium’s roof is a tad other than Minute Maid Park’s. It purposes as, mainly, a tarp and does no longer supply complete enclosure or a dome-style surroundings. — Chandler Rome

12:41 p.m. — Dusty Baker mentioned the Astros haven’t solidified a pitching plan for Game 4, if one is important. Baker did say Cristian Javier is “probably not” to be had out of the bullpen in Game 3, however this is “subject to change.” If Game 4 is important, Houston has two choices: get started Javier or deliver again ace Justin Verlander on common leisure. — Chandler Rome

12:03 p.m. — Astros’ lineup vs. Mariners in ALDS Game 2:

1. Jose Altuve, 2B
2. Jeremy Peña. SS
3. Yordan Alvarez, LF
4. Alex Bregman. 3B
5. Kyle Tucker, RF
6. Yuli Gurriel, 1B
7. Trey Mancini DH
8. Chas McCormick, CF
9. Martin Maldonado, C
Lance McCullers Jr., RHP

— Chandler Rome