The Houston Astros found themselves in familiar territory Monday, setting aside comments made by Chicago White Sox reliever Ryan Tepera after he implied they had stolen the signals by winning the first two games of the series. division of the American League that were played in their stadium.
“He can say what he wants,” said Astros manager Dusty Baker. “I had never heard his name before we played the White Sox. It doesn’t bother me. Most of my life, they’ve been saying things about me anyway. Let them talk ”.
Baker noted that the Astros had similar offensive stats at home and on the road, then offered some advice while mentioning that he had listened to rocker Eric Clapton that morning.
“I had a song ‘Before You Accuse Me (Take a Look at Yourself)’ – Before you accuse me (Look at yourself),” he said. “That’s all I have to say,” he noted.
The Astros were sanctioned by the Major Leagues after verifying that the team used electronic devices to steal the signals of the rivals during the 2017 campaign in which they were consecrated World Series champions and also in the 2018 campaign. Delicate, and Tepera put the spotlight on him again with his comments after the White Sox won Game 3 on Sunday to avoid a sweep.
Houston crushed the White Sox 15-5 to win the first two games at home. Chicago avoided a sweep with a 12-6 victory Sunday.
The Astros lead 2-1 in the best-of-five series. Game four was postponed on Monday due to the rain forecast. The teams will meet on Tuesday.
Carlos Rodón will be the starting pitcher for Chicago, with first-game starter Lance Lynn available in the bullpen. Manager Tony La Russa said either Lynn or Lucas Giolito would start a possible fifth game on Wednesday in Houston depending on how things turn out on Tuesday.
The Astros announced that Lance McCullers Jr. will take the mound for Game 4. Mexico’s José Urquidy was scheduled to pitch on Monday.
But the focus of attention was on Tepera’s comments. And Houston third baseman Alex Bregman chose to ignore them.
“Everything is fine,” he commented. “We are focused on winning games. That is all”.
The Astros moved into sweeping position after two impressive victories at Minute Maid Park. But he struck out 16 times in Game 3 at Guaranteed Rate Field after striking out 16 in the first two games.
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