Altuve, Bregman, Make Baseball History in Incredible Game 5 Win For Houston Astros

The Houston Astros came from behind to beat the Texas Rangers in Game 5 of the ALCS on Friday night, giving the defending champions a 3-2 lead over their in-state rivals. In the win, home runs by Alex Bregman and Jose Altuve made playoff history.

A pair of home runs for the Houston Astros on Friday night made playoff baseball history.

The Astros beat the Texas Rangers 5-4 in Game 5 of the ALCS, giving the 'Stros a 3-2 series lead and moving them one win closer to a return trip to the World Series.

Bregman started the scoring, hitting a home run which gave Houston a 1-0 lead, while Altuve finished it, hitting a three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning which turned a 4-2 deficit into a 5-4 lead.

First, with regards to Bregman. Per Sarah Langs of MLB.com:

Alex Bregman's 18 HR are tied with Carlos Correa for most before turning 30 in postseason history

Alex Bregman's 18 HR are tied with Carlos Correa for most before turning 30 in postseason history

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 20, 2023

That's ironic, given that Correa used to be a member of the Astros and the two played together for years. It also points to the success and longevity of the Astros, who have played a lot of playoff baseball, and to the success of durability of Bregman, who has been a part of each Astros playoff run since 2016. 

In the playoffs, Bregman is a lifetime .234 hitter with the 18 homers and 53 RBI. He carries a .780 playoff OPS.

This regular season, he hit .262 with 25 homers and 98 RBI.

Now, with regards to Altuve:

Altuve's 3rd go-ahead HR in 9th inning or later in postseason 

that's the most all-time

Altuve's 3rd go-ahead HR in 9th inning or later in postseason

that's the most all-time https://t.co/vo5LfQtDh7

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 21, 2023

Altuve has won the World Series twice with the Astros (2017 and 2022), just like Bregman. He's a career .270 playoff hitter with 26 homers and 54 RBI.

This regular season, Altuve hit .311.

Game 6 of the ALCS is on Sunday night in Houston.

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