Astros down Indians

HOUSTON — It’s October and George Springer, Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman are all hitting home runs once again, helping the Houston Astros to a postseason win.

A year after launching a World Series-record 15 homers in winning their first championship, the Astros picked up right where they left off, hitting four home runs to power past the Cleveland Indians 7-2 Friday in Game 1 of the AL Division Series.

Martin Maldonado also connected for the Astros, who didn't waste any time displaying the same power that carried them to last year's title. Much was made about the pitching prowess these teams possess in the days leading up to this game. But it was a bunch of longballs to put the Astros ahead in this best-of-five series.

"As much as I've heard different opinions about our offense, it's pretty long, it's pretty good, it's pretty potent," said manager AJ

Hinch, a Midwest City High School alum. "Case in point today."

Red Sox edge Yankees 5-4

Chris Sale struck out eight for his first career postseason win, J.D. Martinez hit a three-run homer and the Boston Red Sox sweated out their shaky bullpen to beat the New York Yankees 5-4 on Friday night in Game 1 of the AL Division Series in Boston.

One year after he was pounded by Houston in his playoff debut, Sale took a four-hit shutout into the sixth inning. The Yankees loaded the bases in the sixth and again in the seventh, cutting the deficit to 5-3. Aaron Judge homered off Craig Kimbrel to lead off the ninth before the Red Sox closer retired the next three batters, striking out Giancarlo Stanton and Luke Voit for the save. Game 2 is Saturday night, with Boston starting another pitcher trying to overcome a history of postseason struggles: left-hander David Price is 0-8 in his career as a starter in the playoffs. He'll face Yankees righty Masahiro Tanaka.

In the first playoff matchup between the longtime rivals since 2004, the 108-win Red Sox took a 5-0 lead against Yankees starter J.A. Happ and then white-knuckled it after Sale left with two on and one out in the sixth.

[AP PHOTO] Houston Astros’ Martin Maldonado, right, celebrates his solo home run against the Cleveland Indians with teammate George Springer during the seventh inning in Game 1 of an American League Division Series on Friday in Houston.