The Boston Red Sox looked anything but the American League East champions Thursday when they were utterly outclassed by the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the ALDS.
With ace Chris Sale on the mound, the Red Sox were pummeled 8-2 thanks in large part to three home runs from diminutive Astros second baseman Jose Altuve.
Outfielder Mookie Betts is convinced, however, that Boston can climb back into the series, especially with 17-game winner Drew Pomeranz taking the hill.
"We have all the faith in the world," Betts said, according to MLB.com's Alyson Footer. "Drew's been pitching great. He's going to go out there and do what he always does. Game 2 is obviously very important."
Pomeranz pitched well against the Astros in his last start of the season, which helped the Red Sox clinch the AL East, lasting six innings and allowing just three hits to one of baseball's best offenses.
"You kind of have an idea of what the guys do," Pomeranz said of facing the Astros again, according to MLB.com's Maria Guardado. "It's one thing to look at them on paper, look at the scouting reports and all this or watch video, but to know, to kind of feel out how they're approaching the box against me last time. Kind of goes both ways. They got to see me; I got to see them. So we'll make a game plan based off of how the last start went, and kind of adjust going into it."
Pomeranz owns a 1-0 record with a 1.46 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in two starts against the Astros this season.