The Red Sox’s opponent for the ALCS is now set
The Red Sox will face a familiar opponent in the 2021 ALCS. Game 1 is set for Friday, with the series shifting to Boston early next week.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 11: Alex Cora #13 of the Boston Red Sox looks on in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays during Game 4 of the American League Division Series at Fenway Park on October 11, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesRed Sox. Astros. ALCS. It's set.
After the Red Sox punched their ticket with their Monday night walk-off, the Astros finished up their 3-1 series win by beating the Chicago White Sox 10-1 Tuesday afternoon. This will be Houston's fifth straight trip to the Championship Series.
This will be the second time in four years the Red Sox and Astros meet in the ALCS. Boston beat Houston four games to one back in 2018 on the way to a World Series title.
The two teams met seven times during the 2021 season, with one series played in each team's ballpark. Houston won five of the seven games, with the Red Sox winning the final game of both series. In particular, Red Sox hitters struggled against the Astros pitching staff, hitting .210 over those seven games. The team's season average overall was .261.
It will be somewhat of a homecoming for Red Sox manager Alex Cora. Cora was Houston's bench coach for their title run in 2017. He was also implicated in their sign-stealing scandal, which resulted in him being suspended for the 2020 season.
Game 1 of the best-of-seven series is set for Friday night in Houston. The Red Sox will host games three and four on Monday and Tuesday of next week, with Game 5 at Fenway Park on Wednesday if needed. All times are still TBD. You can find a full breakdown of the schedule below.
Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.
