The Astros defeated the White Sox 10-1 in Game 4 of the ALDS on Tuesday, putting an end to their season. Reliever Ryan Tepera took a shot at the Astros following the White Sox’s lone victory of the series on Sunday night.
He specifically addressed the 2017 season’s well-known sign-stealing issue.
“They have a reputation for doing some shady things over there,” Tepera added. “It is possible to say that there is a difference. In comparison to the previous two games at Minute Maid, I believe you witnessed the swings and misses tonight.”
In Game 4 on Tuesday, the Astros struck out nine times. They also had 10 hits, including three doubles and a home run, for a total of 10 runs. If Tepera’s insinuation was that the Astros cheat better at home than on the road, things didn’t quite line up in this game.
Shortstop for the Astros Carlos Correa went 2 for 4 with a two-RBI double to give the Rangers the lead for good. He was queried about Tepera’s comments after the game.
“Disrespectful words with no facts… he needs to know the facts, or you know what he needs to do.” 👀
Carlos Correa responds to Ryan Tepera’s comments ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/5kK7k5S7fW— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 12, 2021
“Disrespectful words with no facts with nothing to say,” Correa said. “We scored six runs at home, then we scored, what, like nine? Then we scored six again here, they just happened to score 12. And then you look at our OPS on the road that’s the best in all the big leagues through a 162-game season which we played 81 on the road. Their OPS was a lot higher at home than it was on the road.
“He needs to know the facts.”
Correa did his homework. The Astros led the majors this season with a .780 road OPS. The White Sox’s home OPS was .789 compared to a .729 road OPS.
Whether any of this means anything is up to you, dear reader, but when Correa said he was talking facts, he was.
Source: cbssports