Brandon Hyde had a choice to make with John Means unavailable in the ALDS. Hyde tabbed Kremer as his Game 3 starter with the season on the line. Unfortunately, Kremer failed to meet the moment.
Kremer served up a solo homer to Corey Seager in the bottom of the first. The early deficit put the Birds on alert, but Kremer’s struggles were just getting started. Nathaniel Lowe exposed Kremer’s inability to put away hitters with a 15-pitch at bat, and Mitch Garver provided Texas a three-run advantage with a double down the left field line.
Still, the game did not feel completely out of reach.