Houston Astros Reliever Bryan Abreu Appeals Suspension, ALCS Game 6 Status Decided

Houston Astros reliever Bryan Abreu received a two-game suspension for hitting Adolis Garcia that would have started with Sunday's ALCS Game 6 if he didn't appeal.

The fate of Houston Astros reliever Bryan Abreu was determined just before the start of Game 6 of the American League Championship Series.

Abreu is appealing the suspension and will be available Sunday night against the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park.

After Friday’s near-brawl at Globe Life Field, which was triggered by Abreu hitting Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia with a fastball, Abreu, Garcia and Astros manager Dusty Baker were ejected from the game.

On Saturday, MLB announced that Abreu would be suspended for two games, and that suspension would start for Game 6 unless he appealed it.

Before Sunday’s game, Baker said that a meeting between all sides — “our people, their people, MLB, Players’ Association” — was scheduled. But he had no idea where things would go.

He wasn’t sure what impact it would have on his bullpen, saying that much would depend on the performance of starter Framber Valdez and how far he’s able to go after pitching less than three innings in Game 2.

“Well, it certainly would, but a lot depends on Framber's outing and how far he goes,” Baker said. “A lot of it depends on how much offense that we can put up today. And whenever I got to take Framber out, then — we've got a plan, but a lot of times — we plan every day, but a lot of times your plan is messed up by the opposition. I don't adhere to this inning, that inning, that inning; I go more on the performance and what I have to do to win a ballgame.”

If the Astros win Game 6, they will advance to the World Series for the fifth time in seven seasons. If the Rangers win, a decisive Game 7 will be played on Monday night in Houston.

ALCS Results (Astros lead 3-2)

Game 1: Rangers 2, Astros 0

Game 2: Rangers 5, Astros 4

Game 3: Astros 8, Rangers 5

Game 4: Astros 10, Rangers 3

Game 5: Astros 5, Rangers 4

Game 6: Sunday at Houston, 7:03 p.m. (FS1)

Game 7*: Monday at Houston, 7:03 p.m. (Fox/FS1)

*If necessary

Did Ejected Baker Break Rules in Game 5?

You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

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