World Series: Astros Go Greinke+Tag Team to Take Game 3

When viewed in the cold light of harsh reality, it doesn't really matter when you win in a seven-game series.

It only matters that your team's the one that wins four of them.

All the histrionics about win progressions are nothing but perspective and what they do to a team's mentality, a fan base's emotions, and a betting dude's sanity.

 

With that in mind, the Houston Astros are on the board.

Dudes posted a 47-34 record on the road during the regular season, and they provided an example why in Game 3 with their 4-1 victory over Washington in the nation's capital.

The irrepressible José Altuve drilled a pair of doubles -- scoring both times -- and Zack Greinke kept doing Houdini impressions as the 'Stros took an early lead, held on for dear life, and locked it all down in the late innings:

 

The telltale stat was how Houston's pitching staff performed when the rubber met the road.

Washington batters went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

 

In essence, that's the gist of it.

Greinke had the sorta 4⅔-inning outing that woulda tickled the left cockle of a slalom skier's heart.

When those dudes compete, the rules say that if they miss a gate -- any gate -- they're eliminated. So, just consider Greinke as Houston's version Ingemar Stenmark.

 

In each of his four innings when he was in danger, Greinke wove around Nationals:

• 1st ... After Anthony Rendon had doubled, he got Juan Soto on a first-pitch curve;
• 2nd ... With runners at first and second with one out, he coaxed an inning-ending double-play ball outta Victor Robles; and
• 3rd ... With the bases loaded and two out, he laid a killer curve on Asdrúbal Cabrera; and
• 4th ... After Robles' tripled plated Ryan Zimmerman, he introduced Trea Turner to Uncle Charlie, and that was it for the Nats rally.

 

Well, it floored the Nationals, and after all that ducking and dodging, they never got up.