Astros have too much firepower for Red Sox
HOUSTON — Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve and the high-powered Astros led the majors in runs, hits and batting average in the regular season.
Now that it’s playoff time, they are still hammering away.
Correa homered, doubled and drove in four runs, Altuve got two more hits and the Astros battered the Red Sox 8-2 on Friday to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the American League Division Series.
George Springer also homered to back Dallas Keuchel as the Astros won by the same score as in Game 1.
“One through nine, everybody can do damage, everybody can go deep,” Correa said. “There’s no holes in our lineup and we feel very confident (whether) we went 0-for-4 the day before or 4-for-4.”
The Astros will go for a sweep in the best-of-five matchup Sunday at Fenway Park, a year after the Red Sox were swept in the ALDS by the Indians. Brad Peacock (13-2) starts for the Astros against Doug Fister (5-9).
“We couldn’t really script it any better,” Keuchel said.
A day after Altuve hit three home runs, he got things going with a twoout single in the first inning off Drew Pomeranz. Correa, who went 0-for-4 on Thursday, made it 2-0 when he launched a towering shot onto the train tracks atop left field.
“If he’s not No. 1, he’s No. 2 in the league,” Altuve said of Correa, often referring to him as his little brother. Game 1: Game 2: Game 3: *Game 4: *Game 5: “(He’s) one of the best players (and) I’m really happy to have him on my team. Believe it or not, I have learned from him.”
Said Pomeranz: “Any mistake we’ve made they’ve made us pay. These guys have come out swinging.”
Keuchel pitched into the sixth, allowing one run and three hits while striking out seven to improve to 3-0 with a 0.96 ERA in three career postseason starts.
“They’re deep and they have a number of ways to beat you,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said.