It took five games, but the New York Yankees have found a way to advance to the American League Championship series against the Houston Astros.
Jumping out to an early lead, New York closed out the Cleveland Guardians in a game originally scheduled to be played yesterday. Monday’s rainout means the Yankees will not have any downtime and will travel to Houston tonight for tomorrow’s game.
Houston, in the meantime, has had plenty of rest after sweeping the Mariners in three-straight games. American League Cy Young favorite Justin Verlander (18-4, 1.75) gets the start for Houston, while the Yankees will send righty Jameson Taillon (14-5, 3.91) to the mound. Taillon will be making his first playoff start of his career against the veteran Verlander. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:37 PM EST in Houston.
While there are many ways to bet on MLB, the most action is coming in on this series, with the Astros a -150 favorite to advance to the 2022 World Series.
New York Earns Trip to Houston
After falling behind two games and losing home-field advantage, the Yankees looked to be in trouble against the pesky Guardians. The 4-2 game-four win in Cleveland set the table for a home game clincher.
In game five, the Yankees again jumped out to an early lead. Giancarlo Stanton crushed a 3-run home run in the first inning and MVP favorite Aaron Judge added a solo shot in the 2nd inning to stake New York to a quick 4-0 lead.
Starter Nestor Cortes gave the Yankees solid five innings of one-run ball in what was an incredible performance, given he was pitching on three days’ rest. The Yankees bullpen of Jonathan Loaisiga, Clay Holmes, and Wandy Peralta combined for four innings of shutout baseball, allowing five hits while striking out seven.
The Yankees only had time for a short celebration after defeating the Guardians in the fifth and deciding game on Monday afternoon. After the game, the team went straight to the airport with little time to prepare to take on Houston in the ALCS best-of-seven series.
Eyes on the Prize
While the Yankees were scratching and clawing, the Houston Astros were resting. Houston is looking to head to the World Series for the fourth time since 2017, and they are in a prime position after sweeping the Seattle Mariners in the Division Series. Due to their season record, they also have the home-field advantage the rest of the way with the Los Angeles Dodgers being upset by the San Diego Padres.
The team is looking to put that infamous 2017 championship behind them, which many believe can only be accomplished by winning a World Series more legitimately. While the team still rosters 2017 holdovers Jose Altuve, Yuli Gurriel, and Alex Bregman, much of the team has turned over, including their manager.
Altuve had a poor ALDS against Seattle, going hitless in 16 at-bats and scoring just one run. Bregman hit .333 with a home run and three RBIs in three games, while Gurriel hit .400 while playing stellar defense in the field. The young Yordan Alvarez outshined all three.
Alvarez hit the game-winning, come-from-behind walk-off home run in game one that set the tone for the series and another go-ahead home run in game two. Alvarez finished with two home runs, seven RBI, and 11 total bases and will look to stay hot against a Yankee team playing with little rest.
How to Watch
Date: Thursday, Oct. 20 | Time: 7:37 p.m. ET
Location: Minute Maid Park (Houston, Texas)
TV channel: TBS
Odds: HOU -155; NYY +130; O/U: 7
