In the Game Preview we asked whether it would be a a pitcher’s duel like Game 1 of this series, or a slugfest, like Game 2. Unfortunately, it was like Game 1, with one key difference: The Angels pitchers outdueled the Astros’.
Noah Syndergaard made his much anticipated return to the mound and did not disappoint Angels fans, going 5.1 shutout innings.
And even though Verlander in his return was more dominant in the strikeout department, 7 - 1, that’s not the statistic that wins games. Verlander allowed one run in his five innings, a homer to Jared Walsh in the second inning.