Any post-clinch party in the Astros clubhouse isn't complete until Dusty Baker enters the room. While a bunch of 20- and 30-somethings jump up and down, spray each other with champagne and dance to pulse-pounding music, the coolest 73-year-old on the planet is right there with them. "The celebration in Seattle [after an ALDS clincher] the other day, we waited on Dusty, and he comes into the locker room and he does his thing and, you know, it makes everybody smile, makes everybody happy," Astros pitcher Justin Verlander said. "You know that he's always got your back, he's always rooting for the best in you, and that's all you can really ask for as a player. I've really enjoyed getting to know him also personally in just playing for him." Baker says he doesn't like the taste or smell of champagne, but he still can't get enough of it. He's had to pop more than a few of them since the Astros plucked him out of retirement prior to the 2020 season and gave him one final chance to win the World Series title that's missing on his Hall of Fame resume. "Well, you know, it's been a good marriage for all of us," said Baker, who's four wins shy of reaching his third World Series as a manager. |
Game 1 will take place tonight in Houston at 7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 CT on TBS. All games are available in the U.S. on MLB.TV (authentication to a participating Pay TV provider is required). Live games are also available in select countries outside the U.S. For full details click here. Probable starters Astros: RHP Justin Verlander Yankees: RHP Jameson Taillon Projected lineups |
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Astros: With Verlander on the mound, the Astros will likely use the same lineup they had in Games 1 and 3 of the ALDS against the Mariners. Yankees: The Bombers will be shuffling their roster for the ALCS, especially after outfielder Aaron Hicks sustained a season-ending knee injury in Game 5. Giancarlo Stanton has been mentioned as a possibility to play left field for the games in Houston, which would open the DH slot for Matt Carpenter, who was 0-for-2 in the ALDS. |
Astros: Justin Verlander (0-0, 13.50 ERA in postseason) gave up six runs on 10 hits and one walk in his Game 1 ALDS start on Oct. 11 against the Mariners at Minute Maid Park. That was Verlander's first playoff start since losing both starts in the 2019 World Series against the Nationals. In his last five postseason starts (since Game 2 of the 2019 ALCS), Verlander is 0-3 with a 5.97 ERA. His last playoff win came in Game 1 of the 2019 ALDS when he threw seven scoreless innings against the Rays. Verlander is 4-1 with a 2.75 ERA in eight career starts against the Yankees in the playoffs, including a complete-game win in Game 2 of the 2017 ALCS. He held New York to one run in 16 innings in that series and was named the ALCS MVP. The front-runner for the 2022 AL Cy Young, Verlander went 18-4 with a 1.75 ERA in 28 starts in the regular season. |
Yankees: Jameson Taillon (0-0, infinity ERA in postseason) draws the Game 1 start for the Yankees after Nestor Cortes was used on short rest in Tuesday's ALDS Game 5 clincher. Taillon's only career postseason appearance to date came in ALDS Game 2, when he was charged with two runs and three hits, failing to record an out in the 10th inning of the Yanks' 4-2 loss to Cleveland. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said those stats don't tell the whole story for Taillon, who was 14-5 with a 3.91 ERA in 32 starts this season. A product of The Woodlands, Texas, Taillon will be facing the Astros for the second time this season. He faced Houston on June 23 in the Bronx, when he allowed six runs on 10 hits over 5 2/3 innings, receiving a no-decision in the Yanks' 7-6 win. |
Astros: The Astros ran through eight pitchers while piecing together 18 scoreless innings to beat the Mariners in Game 3 of the ALDS, 1-0, on Saturday in Seattle. The only pitcher who didn't throw in the ALDS was starter José Urquidy, who was warming up in the bullpen during Game 3. But with three days off before the ALCS, the Astros' bullpen will be well-rested. Houston will likely add another reliever for the series, considering there is only one off-day built into the schedule. Rookie right-hander Seth Martinez or veteran lefty Will Smith are candidates to be added to the ALCS roster. Yankees: No rest for the weary. After an early-morning arrival in Houston, the Yanks will hope for some length from Taillon. Wandy Peralta pitched in all five games of the ALDS, including 16 pitches in Game 5. Look for them to avoid him; Jonathan Loáisiga could still be in play after throwing 25 pitches in Game 5. Ron Marinaccio and Frankie Montas could both be activated for the ALCS roster, adding fresh arms to the mix. Aroldis Chapman will not be with the club. |
Astros: Gurriel went 6-for-15 in the ALDS with a homer. … Alvarez was 4-for-15 in the ALDS, with a walk-off homer in Game 1 and a go-ahead homer in the sixth inning of Game 2. … Bregman was 5-for-15 (.333) in the ALDS with a homer. … Tucker (4-for-15) and Peña (4-for-16) both homered once in the ALDS. … Then there's Altuve, who went 0-for-16 in the ALDS, and Mancini, who went 0-for-6. Yankees: Judge and Stanton homered in ALDS Game 5 (the Yanks are 28-2 all-time when both players homer), but Bader led the club with three homers during the ALDS. Bader's 13 total bases in the series also paced the club, ahead of Judge's 10 and Rizzo's nine. … Cabrera had a rough ALDS, going 2-for-19 (.105) with 10 strikeouts. … The catching tandem of Trevino and Kyle Higashioka combined to go 1-for-14 during the ALDS. |
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The Astros are 69-69 all-time in playoff games. … Houston is 7-3 at Minute Maid Park in the postseason since losing all four home games of the 2019 World Series. … The Astros are 4-5 all-time in their nine LCS appearances, with all four wins coming since 2005. | |
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