Yasmani Grandal is thrown to the home plate from the throw to the home. Luis Robert scores from third. (0:42).
CHICAGO -- White Sox relief pitcher Ryan Tepera suggested that the Astros might have been taking signs in Games 1 & 2 of their AL Division Series after Chicago won Sunday's third game.
After two impressive wins at home, Houston wanted to sweep. After striking out 16 times in Chicago's 12-6 defeat, Houston was aiming for a sweep. In the final five innings, the AL West champions were defeated in order.
Tepera, who pitched two perfect innings, noticed the difference in Astros home and road games.
"Yeah. It is what it was. He said that they have a reputation for doing some sketchy things over there. It's only, we can state that it makes a slight difference. You saw the swings, misses, and the difference between tonight's game and the two previous games at Minute Maid. However, that's not the whole story. We are here to play. We will compete. We won't worry about what they do.
"All they have to do is make pitches, and they won't hit them anyway."
The fourth game of the best-of-5 series will be played in Chicago on Monday afternoon, but rain is forecast for the following day.
Major League Baseball disciplined the Astros after discovering that the team had used electronic signs to steal during their 2017 World Series win and again in 2018.
MLB found that Houston used a video feed from the center-field camera during home games to decode and see opposing catcher signs. To signal to batters that they were coming, players banged on a trashcan. This was believed to increase the chances of the batter scoring a hit.
AJ Hinch, the manager, and Jeff Luhnow, the general manager were both fired. However no players were disciplined after Rob Manfred granted them immunity in connection with the league's investigation.
Sign theft is legal and acceptable as long as it's done with the naked eyes, such as by a baserunner standing at second. Technology is not allowed.
