Oct 10, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia (77) is relieved by manager Dusty Baker Jr. (12) in the third inning against the Chicago White Sox during game three of the 2021 ALDS at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker decided to pull Luis Garcia in the middle of an at-bat during Game 3 of the ALDS. It did not work out well.
The Houston Astros had the opportunity to sweep the Chicago White Sox out of the Divisional Round with a win on Sunday night. It looked as though they were on pace to do just that, as they held a 5-1 lead entering the bottom of the third inning.
Chicago cut their deficit to 5-3 and had two runners on base with Leury Garcia in the batter’s box. Luis Garcia pitched to the White Sox outfielder, but manager Dusty Baker decided to pull him in the middle of the at-bat to bring in Yimi Garcia.
The decision backfired for Baker, as they immediately surrendered a three-run homer to Garcia, allowing the White Sox to take a 6-5 lead.
Dusty Baker pulls Luis Garcia mid at-bat in Game 3 of ALDS
Yes, pulling Garcia in the middle of an at-bat is a legal move in MLB. Yet, it is still an unusual decision. As you can see, Yimi Garcia surrendered the home run to center field on his third pitch thrown.
The saving grace for this decision is that it happened in the third inning, and that the Astros only trailed the White Sox by one run. There is still plenty of time for Houston to potentially get back in the game and eliminate Chicago from the postseason.
Houston is looking to advance to the ALCS for the fifth-consecutive year.