MondoLinks: Astros bats slug the Dodgers into the brink of elimination

World Series happenings

The Astros were riding high on on a two games to one lead heading into Saturday night’s game before Ken Giles Happened. Giles tried (and failed) to blow game 2 by giving up 2 runs int he 10th inning but his woes were not isolated to that game. So far in the post season, Giles has given up 10 ER through 7.2 innings. Along with that has has been 5 walks, 10 hits, and 3 home runs. Despite his struggles, AJ Hinch kept the faith in him - all the way to blowing a huge game 4. Giles hadn’t been reliable ALL post season up until that point, yet still he got the nod in a 1-1 game in the 9th inning.

Giles wasn’t the only drama that happened over the weekend. We also had Yuli Gurriel making a raciest gesture toward Yu Darvish after hitting a home run off him. MLB’s punishment yet again missed the mark. They basically determined it was bad but the punishment would have to wait until next season in which he will be suspended for 5 games. Remember a few years ago, Yunel Escobar only received 3 games for putting a gay slur on his eye black and many players have received less games for physical violence. MLB’s punishments are all over the place and they continue to make little sense. In 2015, Chase Utley received 2 games (he ended up appealing and not serving any) for breaking Ruben Tejeda’s leg on a dirty slide. So... break a players leg and get 2 games. Racist gesture? 5 games.

Game 5 was a back and forth affair with the Astros tying up the game THREE times via the long ball. Jose Altuve hit his 7th home run of the post season, tying Daniel Murphy for most ever home runs by a second baseman in a single post season. The Astros were down, but never out. Now they head to Los Angeles for Game 6 to take on the Dodgers and try to win their first World Series ever on the back of Justin Verlander

Here are your day without baseball Links:

A Little Bit of Angels News

Mike Trout will keep staying in the news as long as the Eagles keep playing. He’s got some pretty great seats, because of course he does - and now he’s got another souvenir as well.

The Angels hosted the Challenger Classic on Saturday for Athletes with disabilities.

Matt Thaiss is just 2 for his last 17 in the Arizona Fall League.

Everywhere In Baseball

The Manager-go-round continues and the Nationals have hired Cubs Bench Coach Dave Martinez as their new skipper. The Phillies have also found their man in Gabe Kapler who last served as the Dodgers’ director of player development. The Yankees are still without a manager.

Here’s a pretty cool story on long time Indians broadcaster Herb Score, who also had an 8 year big league season despite being told he’d never walk again after a leg crushing truck accident as a child.

A’s Anthem kneeling catcher, Bruce Maxwell, was arrested for allegedly pointing a gun at a woman. Yikes!

According to USA Today, Raul Ibanez has the same odds as Don Mattingly for becoming the new Yankees manager.

More doctored balls? World Series Pitchers are complaining the ball is “different” and is more slick.

The Duffle Bag

A professor at Stamford is exploring if baseball can be therapeutic for Alzheimer’s disease patients. A seven year old girl with a 3D printed hand threw out the first pitch at game 4 of the World Series.