The set-up: The Minnesota Twins lost the AL wild card game last Tuesday to the Yankees, losing a 13th straight postseason game. That ties the MLB record held by the Boston Red Sox (from 1986 through 1995). Yes, the Red Sox have won three World Series titles since then but Boston has not won a postseason contest since the clinching game of the 2013 World Series and are now in danger of being swept out of the ALDS for the second straight October (Terry Francona's Indians did the 'honors' in 2016!). The Red Sox attempt to climb out of a 2-0 hole against the Astros but Houston is playing with the utmost confidence at the moment. The Astros got solid starting efforts from Verlander and Keuchel plus the offense has scored eight run sin each of the first two games, banging out 12 hits in each contest, as well.

The pitching matchup: Brad Peacock (13-2 & 3.00 ERA) gets the Game 3 start for Houston and will be opposed by Doug Fister (5-9 & 4.88 ERA). Peacock began the season in the bullpen and on the season, Houston was not quite as impressive as his personal won-loss record in all his starts (15-6, plus-$424). However, he earned this start by holding his last seven opponents to two or fewer ERs (he was 3-1 but the team just 4-3). He did not allow more than five hits in any of his five September starts, winning his last three. Fister is an interesting choice as the Game 3 starter, with Boston facing elimination. He was chosen over Eduardo Rodriguez and reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello despite going 0-2 with a 9.18 ERA over his last four starts. He was signed by the Red Sox as a free agent in June and has hardly impressed in his 18 appearances, including 15 starts. He's had limited action against Houston, going 1-1 with a 3.44 ERA in three career starts (teams are 2-1).

The pick: It was just 10 days ago that Houston Astros pitcher Brad Peacock went to the Fenway Park mound and defeated Boston 12-2 in the opening game of the regular season-ending four-game series against the Red Sox. However, be advised that in earning that win by allowing two runs in five innings, it 'improved' Peacock's career mark vs. Boston to 1-2 in four starts (team is 1-3) and his ERA to 9.01 (you read that right!). Maybe the reason Fister is getting the ball in this elimination game is due to him owning a 2.60 ERA in nine career postseason games (eight starts)? No sweep here. Make Boston a 10* play.