Texas Rangers’ Adolis Garcia (53) is restrained by home plate umpire Marvin Hudson as he yells at Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado after being hit by a pitch from relief pitcher Bryan Abreu during the eighth inning in Game 5 of baseball (52) was hit American League Championship Series Friday, October 20, 2023, in Arlington, Texas.
Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press
Abreu, Houston’s leading non-closer out of the bullpen over the past two seasons, was ejected from Friday’s Game 5 win in Arlington after hitting Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia with a pitch. Abreu was subsequently suspended for two games by the MLB league office, although Abreu formally appealed to MLB in the hour before Game 6 against Texas at Minute Maid Park. The hearing on Abreu’s suspension is scheduled for Monday in the hours leading up to that evening’s potential ALCS Game 7. Should the Astros knock out Texas and clinch the AL pennant on Sunday, Abreu’s would serve a suspension starting Friday during Game 1 of the World Series.
Astros manager Dusty Baker detailed the process of Abreu’s appeal before Game 6. Baker said that a meeting with Abreu is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. CT and Baker expects participation from Abreu, various Astros officials, members of the MLB league office and the MLB Players’ Association.
“There’s a meeting at 5 p.m [p.m.]”That’s all I’ve been told, with the powers that be, our people, their people, MLB, Players Association,” Baker said Sunday at Minute Maid Park in Houston. “I’m not a lawyer.” Even though my mother wanted me to be a lawyer, it’s too much school. So it’s in the hands of the lawyers.
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Baker has not indicated how his bullpen plan will change if Abreu’s suspension is upheld immediately, although such a decision would put Houston in quite a bind, particularly for ALCS Game 7. On the one hand, there is Abreu’s performance, which has continued to be excellent in recent months. Abreu finished the regular season with 27 consecutive (!) scoreless appearances dating back to July 18th. He has allowed just one earned run in seven appearances in the 2023 playoffs, posting 11 strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings. Abreu is rightfully known as a premier late-inning option. Removing him from the ALCS leaves Baker with one less weapon at his disposal.
The current construction of Houston’s bullpen could also be a concern for the Astros. Closer Ryan Pressly threw 24 high-stress pitches in the final two innings of Game 5. Hector Neris is virtually the only other reliever firmly entrenched in Baker’s late-game circle of trust. Rookie Hunter Brown impressed with his trio of innings in Game 4, and perhaps Phil Maton and Rafael Montero can be used in select situations. Still, these three teams are each a significant step below the Pressly-Abreu-Neris group, which is one of the top end-of-game trios in baseball. With Abreu absent, Houston’s bullpen appears to be far less lethal.
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The ALCS will continue with Game 6 on Sunday night despite Abreu’s possible suspension. Houston’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:03 p.m. CT. Left-handed pitcher and 2022 World Series hero Framber Valdez will get the win for Houston when he faces Texas standout Nathan Eovaldi.