The Houston Astros are headed back to the American League Championship Series for the sixth consecutive season.
They now have a chance to reach the World Series for the fourth time in the last six years.
They’ll await either the Cleveland Guardians or New York Yankees, who play each other in Game 5 of the ALDS tonight at Yankee Stadium.
But for the Astros, one thing stands out from their ALDS sweep over the Seattle Mariners, and that is their bullpen usage.
The Astros used a total of seven relievers over the course of 19.1 innings.
Only one of them, that being Cristian Javier, allowed a run in the series.
Absolutely dominant.@astros | #LevelUp | #Postseason pic.twitter.com/78ZOYTavWG
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) October 17, 2022
Bullpen Keys Astros ALDS Victory
The Astros bullpen was certainly the key to winning this ALDS against the Mariners.
They had to rally from late deficits in Games 1 and 2, and the bullpen kept them in both of those games.
After six scoreless innings from Lance McCullers Jr. in Game 3, the bullpen threw 12 more scoreless innings as the Astros finished off their AL West rivals and advanced to the ALCS once again.
The bullpen was on top of its game and helped guide the Astros back to the ALCS for another year.
They were needed in Game 3 and were relied on heavily, and they got the job done for Houston.
The Astros will open up the ALCS at home on Wednesday against the winner of tonight’s Game 5 between the Guardians and Yankees.
The Astros have yet to announce their starter for Game 1, but one can assume that it would be Justin Verlander.
Game 1 gets underway at 7:37 p.m. Eastern Time and will air on TBS.
NEXT: The Astros Made Sure To Troll The Mariners Before Leaving Town