Game 5 starting lineups:
Astros: Hinch started designated hitter Yordan Alvarez in left field for Game 5, keeping Josh Reddick on the bench for the second game in a row, with Michael Brantley sliding to right field and George Springer to center. Martín Maldonado will catch Cole despite Robinson Chirinos hitting homers in consecutive games.
1) George Springer, CF
2) José Altuve, 2B
3) Michael Brantley, RF
4) Alex Bregman, 3B
5) Yuli Gurriel, 1B
6) Yordan Alvarez, LF
7) Carlos Correa, SS
8- Martín Maldonado, C
9) Gerrit Cole, P
Nationals: The offense has gone quiet the past two games, a product of being unable to cash in their chances with runners in scoring position. They have been held to one run in back-to-back games, just the second time all season they’ve been held to one run or fewer in consecutive games (Sept. 13-14).
1) Trea Turner, SS
2) Adam Eaton, RF
3) Anthony Rendon, 3B
4) Juan Soto, LF
5) Howie Kendrick, 2B
6) Ryan Zimmerman, 1B
7) Victor Robles, CF
8- Yan Gomes, C
9) Joe Ross, P
starting pitchers:
Astros: Cole (3-1, 1.82 ERA in the postseason) lost for the first time in five months when the Nationals beat him in Game 1, but he is 19-1 with a 1.79 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP with 264 strikeouts in 176 1/3 innings over his past 26 starts in the regular season and postseason.
Nationals: Ross entered in relief in the seventh inning of Game 3, and he delivered two blank frames after starter Aníbal Sánchez's four-run, 5 1/3-frame start.
