Anleitungen » The Houston Astros are one step closer to defending

their World Series title after completing a three-game sweep over the Cleveland Indians in the American League Division Series.George Springer hit two home runs in a 3-for-6 day to help Houston earn an 11-3 road win on Monday in Game 3. Cleveland led 2-1 until 10 straight runs led to an easy victory for the visitors.The three wins in the best-of-five series also gives the Astros their first playoff sweep in franchise history.Terry Francona Costs Indians With Pitching Staff GambleTrevor Bauer was a Cy Young candidate as a starter over the course of the season Brett Gardner Jersey , but manager Terry Francona has decided to use him exclusively in relief this series, appearing in all three games.After allowing a run in 2.2 innings to start the series, he gave up three runs (two earned) in a miserable Game 3. He also had a pair of throwing errors that helped extend the decisive seventh inning.paul hoynes hoynsieTrevor Bauer has made 5 errors in his career. In the seventh inning in Game 3 of the ALDS, hes made 2.The Astros built their momentum and piled on the scoring against Cody Allen and others, totaling 10 runs in the last three innings. Five relievers were used to cover four innings, and all but one allowed at least one run.MikeClevinger had been all the Indians could have hoped for in his first career postseason start, especially afterproven starters Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco were unspectacular in Games 1 and 2.A solo home run was the only run heallowed in five innings that also included nine strikeouts.This wasn't enough to factor into the decision, though, as the bullpen couldn't hold onto the lead.The Indians succeeded in the past because Francona wasn't afraid to be unconventional with his pitching staff. Andrew Miller and Cody Allen virtually carried the club to the World Series in 2016.Unfortunately, the bullpen wasn't nearly as effective in 2018 and the manager's gambles didn't pay off in the playoffs. Bruce Hooley of105.7 The Zone gave his thoughts on the situation:Bruce Hooley BHOOLZNo other manager in baseball -- NONE -- could survive achieving less in 3 consecutive seasons with this starting staff and this talent. NONE! And before you say, quot;We won the Central 3 times. Thats hard.quot; Given the competition it is no harder than winning at solitaireThe players do have to perform, but Francona didn't put his best ones in a position to succeed during the series.Astros Incredible Depth Makes Them Team to Beat...AgainJust like last postseason, the Astros are getting a lot of production from a wide variety of hitters already in the playoffs.Jose Altuve is the biggest name in the lineup while Alex Bregman was the best hitter in 2018, but there are several other players who can and will hurt you if given the opportunity.George Springer hit two home runs, including one in the fifth to start Houston's scoring for the day:MLB MLBYou can鈥檛 keep these Astros down for long. jrp8xNfpX2MLB MLB#Postseason Springer is a BEAST. sZYZMC6MRBMarwin Gonzalez then came through with the big hit in the seventh inning, driving in two runs with a bases-loaded double:MLB MLB.marwinGF9 with another MASSIVE hit. #ALDS FQexZ5g8ICAfter an RBI single later in the game, Gonzalez finished 7-for-13 in the ALDS.He and Springer were also two of five Astros players with at least four hits in the series.Carlos Correa even got in on the action with an eighth-inning three-run home run, which was his first hit of the postseason.No. 4 hitter Yuli Gurriel did virtually nothing in the series but Houston kept on going with little resistance. We also haven't seen the best out of Altuve, the reigning AL MVP.If these players reach their ability andCorrea builds off his big hit, the Astros' lineup could be unstoppable.Houston had the worst scoring offense of all the AL playoff teams (despite being sixth in the majors), but the team excels because it's not too reliant on one or two players coming through night after night. In a long postseason, this could be the difference.After the supporting cast showed what it could do a year ago, the Astros look ready for another championship run in 2018.Indians Must Find Impact Hitter In Offseason After Quiet ALDSGame 3 was better for the Indians offense than the first two outings, where the team was held to a combined three runs on six hits. However, the final installment wasn't too much better with just three runs http://www.yankeesfanproshop.com/authentic-wade-boggs-jersey , with the problem being a lack of production from the team it was hoping to rely on most.Jose Ramirez looked like an MVP for much of the regular season but was no help in the ALDS while going 0-for-11 at the plate with three strikeouts.He was 0-for-4 in the must-win Game 3, ending his season by grounding into a double play. Considering he also hit 2-for-20 in the postseason last year, there are legitimate concerns about his playoff hitting.Meanwhile, the rest of the middle of the order didn't do much better.Ramirez,Edwin Encarnacion and Josh Donaldson, the team's three through five hitters, combined to go 1-for-10 Monday and the trio only had two hits all series. This won't win too many games regardless of the opponent.Francisco Lindor did his job,getting a hit in each game of the series with home runs in each of the last two. Still, you need a lot more than just a leadoff hitter in order to make a deep run in the playoffs.Looking forward, the Indians have some tough decisions with their lineup withDonaldson, Michael Brantley and Melky Cabrera among those hitting free agency this offseason. Whether or not these players are re-signed, the team still needs other hitters it can trust to carry the offense when the other stars aren't hitting.Even if Ramirez has better days, he and Lindor can't do it all by themselves.If the Indians want to extend this contention window, they need to add at least one more big-time hitter this winter. What's Next?With a ticket already punched in the ALCS, the Astros can now relax until the start of the next round on Oct. 13. The squad will take on the winner of the other ALDS between Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, although Houston will only have home-field advantage against the Yankees. Hannah Foslien/Getty ImagesOn Saturday, the New York Mets traded closer Jeurys Familia to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for two prospects and international bonus pool money.That deal took one of the bigger names remaining off the trading block, but numerous position players and pitchers are bound to change cities before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.Here's a look at the latest news on two second basemen and the most-coveted reliever on the market.Brian DozierPer ABC 5 Eyewitness News sports anchor and 1500 ESPN Radio host Darren Wolfson, there's some trade chatter surrounding Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier:Darren Wolfson DWolfsonKSTPTheres been a lot of chatter about the Brewers being after #MNTwins 2B Brian Dozier, and rightfully so. But word is another team has been showing stronger interest. Twins FO definitely open-minded to moving the fan/media favorite.Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports and The Athletic also said the Milwaukee Brewers are interested in Dozier:Ken Rosenthal Ken_RosenthalAmong the players the #Brewers are expected to target now that they have lost Machado: #Twins 2B Brian Dozier. Team also will explore pitching upgrades as well.Four players (Jonathan Villar, Brad Miller, Eric Sogard and Hernan Perez) have played second base for the Brewers this season. Villar has been there the most (74 games), but he's currently on the 10-day disabled list with a sprained thumb. Prior to the injury, Villar was batting .261 with a .693 OPS.The issue is that none of the four aforementioned players are hitting particularly well this year, so the Brewers may want to find someone with a little more pop at second base.Although he is currently experiencing a down year Brian Roberts Jersey , Dozier could help in that regard. For the year, the Twins' second baseman has 16 home runs. He only has a so-so .724 OPS this year, but the 31-year-old Dozier sports a .774 OPS lifetime and may experience some positive regression soon.With the Los Angeles Dodgers dealing for Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado, the National League pennant race just got much tougher for the senior circuit's other 14 teams. The Brewers should make a move here to try to keep up. Asdrubal CabreraPer Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, numerous teams have interest in New York Mets second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera:Mark Feinsand FeinsandFamilia not the only Mets player drawing interest; source says multiple teams have inquired about Asdrubal Cabrera, though no deal is imminent. Brewers and D-backs believed to be among potential suitors.Putting two and two together, it's clear the Brewers are looking for a second baseman, as they have reported interest in two of the best ones on the trading block. The Arizona Diamondbacks, however, could be a better fit.Cabrera has been a shortstop for most of his career, so he's a capable middle infielder who can handle either position. Second baseman Ketel Marte (nine home runs, .247 batting average, .745 OPS) and shortstop Nick Ahmed (12 home runs, .226 average, .702 OPS) haven't done poorly at the plate this year, but Cabrera (17 home runs, .819 OPS) would be an upgrade over either of them at the dish.It also helps that Cabrera is a switch hitter, as he can replace Ahmed on days Arizona is facing a righty. For the season, Ahmed is managing just a .650 OPS against righties, although his lefty OPS is a solid .800. Against lefties, Cabrera (at second) and Ahmed could handle the middle infield responsibilities.Ultimately, Cabrera is in the midst of a solid two-and-a-half year run where he's posted 54 home runs and an .806 OPS. He should be a strong asset for any team that picks him up prior to the deadline. Zach BrittonPer Buster Olney of ESPN, expect Baltimore Orioles reliever Zach Britton to get moved sooner rather than later:Buster Olney Buster_ESPNSources: Orioles doing their business with alacrity -- they are looking to move Zach Britton this weekend or early in the week ahead. Lots of contenders continue to be involved in the conversation.Buster Olney Buster_ESPNBritton is a one-of-a-kind item on the market right now, so the Orioles will likely get good return -- tons of closing experience, power stuff Thurman Munson Jersey , lefty, and because he didnt pitch in first half, should be relatively fresh for stretch drive/October.A look at the bottom half of the league in bullpen ERA reveals that numerous contenders need some relief help. Of note, the Seattle Mariners (16th), Philadelphia Phillies (17th), Atlanta Braves (19th), St. Louis Cardinals (24th), Colorado Rockies (28th) and Cleveland Indians (29th) are there.The Tribe made some moves for bullpen help recently, so they are likely out of any bidding for Britton, but a desperate team looking for a solid arm may go over the top and give the Orioles an offer they can't refuse.Of note, the Braves look like a very good fit. Gabriel Burns of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution gave reasoning why:"Arodys Vizcaino is on the disabled list again, and despite converting 15 of 17 save chances, the Braves would benefit from adding another option. A.J. Minter and Dan Winkler have both worked the ninth, but their performances have left room for improvement."Adding a pitcher such as Britton could help the rest of the unit fall into place. Vizcaino, Minter and Winkler wouldn鈥檛 routinely handle the ninth, giving manager Brian Snitker an abundance of options for the late innings."Vizcaino has a sterling 1.65 ERA this season, but he's on the 10-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation.It's possible that Vizcaino has complications or doesn't return as effective as he was prior to the injury. Hopefully Vizcaino comes back soon and 100 percent healthy, but if not, Britton would be a huge asset to the Braves bullpen.Atlanta may have an added incentive to obtain Britton: Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphiareported that the Phillies are in the mix. First-place Philadelphia leads second-place Atlanta by just a half-game in the NL East, and if one of those teams gets the O's southpaw, the slight edge likely goes to that squad down the stretch for the division title.