You simply can’t give your opponents further outs within the postseason. It’s true whether or not you’re enjoying the top-ranked Tampa Bay Rays within the ALCS — or anybody actually.

The Houston Astros, and their present 0-Three state of affairs, have realized that lesson the onerous method. Now they’re one loss away from going dwelling and the Rays are on the cusp of the World Sequence after a 5-2 win in Sport 3.

For the second straight recreation, a José Altuve throwing error led to a Rays rally that the Astros couldn’t overcome. In Sport 2, a nasty Altuve throw led to a three-run homer within the first inning. In Sport 3, it was even worse.

This time, Altuve misfired a ball to second base within the sixth inning and what adopted was a five-run rally Houston by no means recovered from. Even worse: The Astros had been main on the time, hoping to achieve slightly footing on this sequence. That one run truly got here off the bat of Altuve within the first inning. However that’s not going to make him really feel any higher.

The Rays hitting a homer after a throwing error like they did in Sport 2, that’s dangerous. However the sting solely lasts a minute. This sixth-inning Astros collapse simply wouldn’t go away.

Like most good Rays postseason issues, this began with Randy Arozarena getting a success. Brandon Lowe was up subsequent, however Altuve threw away the doable double play. The Astros introduced in reliever Enoli Paredes, who had been spotless to this point this postseason. However he’s a rookie who made the soar from Double-A to the majors this season and it confirmed. He allowed consecutive hits — the second of which was a two-run single by Joey Wendle to present the Rays a 2-1 lead.

After a sac bunt, Paredes then hit the following two betters to convey dwelling one other run. Brooks Raley got here out of the bullpen, however Hunter Renfroe was up subsequent and introduced dwelling two runs with a double.

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All whereas Altuve stood by, his facial features begging for mercy.

One factor that’s killed the Astros on this sequence has been leaving runners on base. Nothing harm greater than the eighth inning, as the guts of the Astros’ got here up and so they managed to load the bases. However once more, the Rays received the performs they wanted. Kyle Tucker flew out to the suitable discipline, the place Renfroe made an amazing catch and prevented the Astros from tagging to attain. Then Yuli Gurriel grounded out to finish the menace.

It served to show the overarching theme of the sequence: The Rays seemingly make each play they should. The Astros can’t say the identical.

Randy Arozarena and the Rays are one win away from the World Sequence after successful ALCS Sport 3. (Photograph by Ezra Shaw/Getty Pictures)

MUST-SEE MOMENT(S)

In a sequence the place protection is having such a big effect, the Rays are seemingly making each play — lots of them with zero room for error. The catch by Kevin Kiermaier was notably fairly, however there was a playlist of gems.

WHAT THEY’LL BE TALKING ABOUT

Are Altuve’s sudden throwing issues some kind of karmic retribution coming in opposition to the Astros? It sounds foolish, however it is a sport that believes within the Baseball Gods, not stepping on chalk strains and never speaking to pitchers once they’re throwing a no-hitter.

Even when it’s not karma, you possibly can wager there are 29 different fanbases round MLB rooting for the postseason demise of baseball’s largest villains in many years.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Needing a win, the Astros will ship veteran Zack Greinke to the hill. The 36-year-old right-hander has been coping with some arm soreness in the course of the postseason and hasn’t been efficient when beginning, failing to finish the fifth inning in each of his outings. The Astros managed to win each video games, however are dealing with a harder challenger in opposition to the Rays. They’re going to want Greinke at his greatest.

Tyler Glasnow is the primary cause Houston wants outing from Greinke. Although the Rays right-hander has allowed two dwelling runs in every of his two postseason begins, he is managed to restrict harm by racking up key strikeouts. By way of 13 1/Three postseason outings, he is struck out 20 batters, together with a Rays playoff document 10 in ALDS Sport 2 in opposition to the Yankees.

It’s win now or go dwelling for Houston.

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