Thursday afternoon's Game 1 of the American League Division Series between the Boston Red Sox and the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park wasn't exactly a nail-biter, with the Astros cruising to an 8-2 victory.
The biggest storyline was Astros second baseman Jose Altuve slugging three home runs. The 5-foot-6 MVP candidate became only the 10th major leaguer to do so in a postseason game.
MLB players, former big leaguers -- and even Orbit, the Astros' mascot -- took to Twitter to give Altuve a shoutout.
Astros light up Sale.Price like playoff performance.4 dingers, 3 by Altuve. My choice 4 AL MVP. #smallstature, huge heart @masnOrioles
— Jim Palmer (@Jim22Palmer) October 5, 2017
Hey kids, don't ever let anyone tell you that that you are too small to chase your dreams, not big enough to play with the big kids..YOU CAN
— RyanDempster (@Dempster46) October 5, 2017
Well that was fun!! Verlander, nasty.. Altuve... from another planet.. our team, holy Toledo #Htown #10more https://t.co/XOayASpku6
— Lance McCullers Jr. (@LMcCullers43) October 5, 2017
@JoseAltuve27 =MVP 🔥🔥🔥
— Jhoulys Chacín (@Jhoulys45) October 5, 2017
Babe Altuve
— Brett Anderson (@BAnderson3737) October 5, 2017
Altuve is on 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥#PostSeasonBaseball #MLBPostseason #MVP
— Elvis Andrus (@ElvisandrusSS1) October 5, 2017
Tas pasao' Jose @JoseAltuve27
— Ender Inciarte (@enderinciartem) October 5, 2017
Altuve is a bad, bad dude with a bat in his hands
— Jameson Taillon (@JTaillon19) October 5, 2017
MVP EARNED. #EarnHistory
— Geoff Blum (@blummer27) October 5, 2017
Jose Altuve: Good at baseball. #MVP #EarnHistory
— Houston Astros Orbit (@OrbitAstros) October 5, 2017
Will Altuve be able to match the high standard that he set for himself on Thursday throughout the rest of the series? We'll soon find out. The Red Sox and Astros will be back at Minute Maid for Game 2 on Friday afternoon.
--Meaghan Latella