Tim Bradbury/Getty ImagesThe Houston Astros now hold home-field advantage in the ALCS.The Astros stole Game 1 on the road http://www.oriolesfanproshop.com/authentic-j.j.-hardy-jersey , dominating the Boston Red Sox 7-2 behind Justin Verlander's six innings of two-run ball. George Springer was excellent, knocking in two runs and getting on base three times, while Carlos Correa's RBI single in the top of the sixth was the game-winning hit.The Astros added four insurance runs in the top of the ninth on Josh Reddick's solo home run and Yuli Gurriel's three-run shot.Unlike Verlander, Red Sox starter Chris Sale struggled, throwing 86 pitches in four innings while giving up two runs, four walks and a hit. It was a poor performance from Boston's ace, forcing manager Alex Cora鈥攚ho was later ejected in the bottom of the fifth for arguing balls and strikes鈥攖o turn to his bullpen early.It was the Astros bullpen that locked down the contest, however, pitching three scoreless innings to close Game 1.Chris Sale's Struggles Could Have Ripple Effect Throughout SeriesSale did not have his best stuff Saturday night, and it was apparent early:Bryan Hoch BryanHochChris Sale doesnt have it tonight. Closing in on 50 pitches in the second inning as the Astros jump out front, 2-0, as George Springer raps one past Eduardo Nunez at third base.Zachary quot;Doomquot; Rymer zachrymerYeah, Chris Sale doesnt have it tonight.Zachary quot;Doomquot; Rymer zachrymerIts not just the ball/strike disparity. Too many of Chris Sales pitches arent even close to being good.The fact that he got through four innings while only allowing two runs made it seem like the Red Sox dodged a bullet. But Boston had to turn to its bullpen for the next five innings in a game it likely expected its ace to go deep. That could be a concern for the rest of the series, especially if Boston's other starters struggle.The last thing the Red Sox want is a taxed bullpen while facing Houston's dangerous lineup.Sale's struggles mean David Price must come up big in Game 2 on Sunday night. That has not been Price's postseason calling card, however. In 18 appearances (10 starts), Price is 2-9 with a 5.28 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 68 strikeouts across 75 innings.More concerning is the fact that Price only lasted 1.2 frames in his ALDS Game 2 loss against the New York Yankees, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks. And it's not as though the Red Sox can let him weather any storms, as opposing starterGerrit Cole is coming off an excellent season and is likely to make life difficult for the Red Sox bats.If Price struggles early, he'll almost assuredly be given a quick hook. And that would mean another long night for the bullpen.Should the Red Sox go down 2-0 in this series while facing a trip to Houston Jonathan Schoop Jersey , they'd be in trouble. It wouldn't be fair to call the matchup over鈥攖he Red Sox won 108 games, after all, and boast baseball's scariest lineup. They could dig out of that hole.But it's not a hole they'd choose, especially considering the Astros seem to have Sale's number.Houston's beaten Sale three times in the past two postseasons, and the Boston ace hasn't gotten past the fifth inning in any of those starts, giving up a total of 11 runs in the three losses.Add it all up, and Sale's Game 1 effort does not bode well for the Red Sox. Houston's Bullpen Remains Its Biggest ALCS AdvantageHouston's starting rotation often gets most of the attention when the team's pitching is mentioned, and for good reason: The trio of Verlander, Cole andDallas Keuchel is superb. Verlander, in particular, has been historically good in the postseason.Stats By STATS StatsBySTATSThe astros Justin Verlander has now allowed a total of 9 hits over his last 4 postseason starts. That ties the fewest hits ever allowed over a span of 4 postseason starts; the other to do it was Don Larsen from 1955-57 - a stretch that included his perfect game. #NeverSettleBut Saturday night, Houston's bullpen was dominant, proving it remains the team's major advantage over Boston.During the regular season, Houston led baseball in bullpen ERA. In 12.2 innings of postseason ball, they've given up one run. The Red Sox managed just one hit against Ryan Pressly, Lance McCullers Jr. and Collin McHugh on Saturday night.Boston, meanwhile, was forced to cycle through five relievers over five innings, and that group gave up five runs, including the two ninth-inning dingers.Shea Serrano SheaSerranothe 9th inning of this astros game 3YlRj4KlWXThis series has been billed as the matchup of the unstoppable force (Boston's lineup) against the immovable object (Houston's pitching staff). But Boston has solid options in the starting rotation http://www.oriolesfanproshop.com/authentic-j.j.-hardy-jersey , even if Sale struggled on Saturday night, and the Astros have dangerous bats. The "unstoppable force vs. the immovable object" storyline is a bit reductive.Look more closely, and it's clear the bullpens could decide this series. In that regard, the Astros appear to have the advantage.Red Sox NeedMookie Betts to Get HotMookie Betts, the front-runner to win the AL MVP, only hit .188 against the New York Yankees in the ALDS. No matter. The rest of the Red Sox offense showed up, pushing 27 runs across the board in four games.But Betts had a limited impact once again Saturday night, managing just one hit without any runs scored or knocked in. And against Houston's superior pitching staff, the rest of the Red Sox weren't up to the task either, only posting three hits.In fact, Boston's two runs came off a bases-loaded walk and a wild pitch by Verlander. It was an ugly night for the Red Sox at the plate.And it's been an ugly postseason for Betts, who hit .346 with 32 homers, 80 RBI, 129 runs and 30 stolen bases during the regular season. He was a major factor in every conceivable way for the Red Sox. He's been much less so in the postseason.For his career, Betts is hitting .239 with no homers, two RBI and six runs scored in 46 postseason at-bats over the past three years (12 games). His October struggles are a worry, especially given Boston's issues with solving Houston's pitchers Saturday night.The Astros' stars, meanwhile, mostly factored into the Game 1 result. In a series between teams this talented, the Red Sox have to get something from their best player. If Betts doesn't work his way out of this October slump Darren O'Day Jersey , his team is in trouble. SAN DIEGO (AP) — Austin Hedges‘ unusual two-run home run came with an assist from Mariners center fielder Mallex Smith.Hedges’ fly ball to deep center field bounced out of Smith’s glove and over the fence, Franmil Reyes homered twice and had three RBIs, and the San Diego Padres beat AL West-leading Seattle 6-3 Tuesday night.Hedges, the catcher, also had a brilliant defensive play for the Padres, who have won five straight in the interleague series. They won all four games last year after the teams didn’t play each other in 2017.Hedges drove a ball to deep center off reliever Cory Gearrin with two outs in the sixth. Smith, a former Padres’ farmhand, leaped just in front of the fence and the ball bounced out of his glove and went over. Hedges appeared to chuckle briefly as he rounded the bases. It was his fourth.Smith tumbled face-first to the warning track before glancing up at the fence and then sitting on his haunches, his hands on his hips and a look of disgust on his face.“I knew I crushed it,” Hedges said. “If he doesn’t touch it, it’s halfway up the wall. I hit the ball 400 feet, so it was a good hit. Slider, too. I didn’t know if it was going to get out, but I knew it had a chance to get over his head.Said Seattle manager Scott Servais: “You kind of saw him make the jump, the ball in the glove, and there it is, it’s over the fence. Crazy play, you don’t often see it. He was there, he was in good spot in time, he just didn’t finish it. You have to finish those plays though.”This was the first time since June 2007 that the Mariners and Padres have met with winning records. The Padres have won two straight following a season-worst six-game losing streak. The Mariners have lost two straight.Reyes hit a two-run homer to cap a three-run second inning and connected again off rookie Erik Swanson with two outs in the sixth. He has five this season. It was his second career multihomer game.San Diego had three straight hits to open the second against Swanson (0-2) http://www.oriolesfanproshop.com/authentic-j.j.-hardy-jersey , who was making his second big league start and third appearance. Wil Myers beat out a bunt and scored on a double to right by Eric Hosmer, who advanced on right fielder Mitch Haniger’s fielding error. Reyes followed with a homer to center, his fifth.“Every time he steps up to the plate, it’s what we expect,” Hedges said of Reyes. “The work that he puts in, it’s one of the most disciplined batting practices I’ve ever seen.”Hedges made a great play on a weak chopper by Smith leading off the Mariners’ third when he barehanded the ball and went airborne to throw him out at first.“I don’t think I get him out any other way. If I set my feet, he’s safe,” Hedges said. “I didn’t even know I jumped like that. I just tried to get rid of it as quick as possible. I went and saw the replay. It was a little more athletic than I thought it was.”Swanson said the second home run pitch to Reyes was “a little bit over the plate. The first one I had inside and he put a good swing on it. All I can do is tip my cap to him.”The Mariners closed to 3-2 when rookie left-hander Nick Margevicius struggled through the fifth, walking the bases loaded before Tim Beckham hit a two-run single up the middle with two outs. Beckham was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double, ending the inning.Margevicius (2-2) allowed two runs and four hits in five innings, struck out four and walked five. Kirby Yates pitched the ninth for his 11th save in as many chances.Swanson allowed four earned runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings, struck out three and walked none.ANNIVERSARYTuesday was the 20th anniversary of Fernando Tatis Sr. becoming the only big leaguer to hit two grand slams in the same inning, for St. Louis at the Los Angeles Dodgers. His namesake son had two hits for the Padres on Tuesday night, including beating out a bunt.VEDDER CUPThe teams compete for the mythical Vedder Cup, named by a Padres blogger for Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder, who spent some formative years in the San Diego area before moving to Seattle. While the Padres currently hold the title, Seattle leads the overall series 55-52.UP NEXTMariners: RHP Felix Hernandez (1-1, 4.91 ERA) is scheduled to start the finale of the two-game series on Wednesday. He is 6-4 with a 2.88 ERA in 13 career starts against San Diego.Padres: Rookie RHP Chris Paddack (0-1, 2.25) is scheduled to make his fifth start.