Mariners

HOUSTON -- Can the Astros close out this American League Division Series and advance to play for the pennant for the sixth straight year?

Follow [@brianmctaggart](http://twitter.com/brianmctaggart) on Twitter. [with two go-ahead homers](https://www.mlb.com/news/astros-win-game-2-2022-alds) and seven RBIs in the first two games of the ALDS. Follow him on Twitter at [@DKramer_](http://twitter.com/DKramer_). The others: Troy Glaus (2002) and Ken Griffey Jr. [will make his first postseason start](https://www.mlb.com/news/george-kirby-starting-game-3-of-alds-for-mariners). Mariners: Julio Rodríguez went 1-for-5 in Game 2, but his hit was a 115.8 mph double, the hardest-hit ball of the game. Astros manager Dusty Baker has yet to use his best reliever -- Ryne Stanek -- in either of the first two games. He ranks second in club history in postseason innings pitched (57 1/3), trailing only Justin Verlander (93 1/3). (4-2, 2.27 in the regular season) was limited to eight starts due to a right flexor tendon injury, but he racked up 50 strikeouts and posted a .215 opponent average upon his return. Kirby’s 7.79 K/BB ratio through his first 20 starts is the highest in AL/NL history, excluding openers. The right-hander made his playoff debut in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series, earning the save in his first Major League relief appearance. The standings in this best-of-five round show complete Houston dominance, but this back-and-forth has been much closer than it looks.