Houston Astros Get Historic Efforts From Middle of Order Bats in Game 3 Win Over Minnesota Twins

The Houston Astros beat the Minnesota Twins in Game 3 of the ALDS on Tuesday afternoon, thanks in part to some historic efforts from Jose Abreu and Yordan Alvarez.

The Houston Astros beat the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday afternoon 9-1 to take a 2-1 series lead in the best-of-five American League Division Series.

As the Astros seek their second consecutive World Series title, they are just one win away from advancing back to the ALCS, where they'd meet the division rival Texas Rangers.

While the pitching work of Cristian Javier will get some deserved headlines for the Astros, the hitting prowess of both Jose Abreu and Yordan Alvarez proved historic on Tuesday.

Per ESPN Stats & Info:

After his first homer traveled 442 feet, José Abreu's second traveled 440 feet -- making him the first player with multiple 440-foot homers in a postseason game in the Statcast era (since 2015). 

His 5 RBI are tied for the most in a game in Astros postseason history.

After his first homer traveled 442 feet, José Abreu's second traveled 440 feet -- making him the first player with multiple 440-foot homers in a postseason game in the Statcast era (since 2015).

His 5 RBI are tied for the most in a game in Astros postseason history. pic.twitter.com/xNM5r3HdFA

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 10, 2023

Abreu went 2-for-5 with the two homers and five RBI. He's a lifetime .300 hitter in his playoff career with the Chicago White Sox and Astros.

It was a down year for Abreu in the regular season, as he spent some time on the injured list and dealt with a reduced batting average. He hit .237 for the year with 18 homers and 90 RBI.

As for Alvarez, he went 3-for-5 with a homer and two doubles. He's now hitting .500 in these playoffs, and .267 for his playoff career.

Per @OptaSTATS on social media:

Players with 6+ XBH & 4+ HR over a 3-game span in a single postseason, MLB history: 

Reggie Jackson, Yankees (1977 World Series) 

Yordan Alvarez, @astros (2023 ALDS)

Players with 6+ XBH & 4+ HR over a 3-game span in a single postseason, MLB history:

Reggie Jackson, Yankees (1977 World Series)
Yordan Alvarez, @astros (2023 ALDS) pic.twitter.com/CgMc7DlkRF

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) October 10, 2023

Game 4 of the ALDS will be played on Wednesday night. First pitch from Target Field is set for 7:07 p.m. ET as Jose Urquidy (HOU) pitches against Joe Ryan (MIN).

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