Houston Astros’ skipper A.J. Hinch talked, after Juan Soto went 3 for 4 with a double and a home run in Game 1 of the World Series, about finally getting a close look at Washington’s recently-turned 21-year-old outfielder. Soto was, at that point, 12 for 42 (.286/.362/.548) in his first postseason run, with two doubles, three home runs, four walks, and 14 Ks over 11 games and 47 plate appearances in October.
Soto K’d swinging the first time up against Gerrit Cole in that game, then hit a game-tying solo home run on a 1-0 fastball up in the zone (which he was looking for) in his second trip to the plate against the Astros’ starter, before driving in a double on a full-count slider the third time up, and then singling off reliever Will Harris in his final plate appearance.