If there's anyone who still doubts that pitching wins championships, take a look at what the Astros have done so far this postseason. Houston improved to 4-0 in the 2022 postseason by beating the Yankees, 4-2, in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Wednesday at Minute Maid Park on the strength of three solo homers and an RBI double by catcher MartÃn Maldonado that scored Chas McCormick from first base. The Astros went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position, but it didn't matter because Houston's pitching has been terrific. Astros pitchers have allowed 11 runs and struck out 56 batters over 45 innings in four games. Because of their terrific pitching, the Astros have overcome a lack of clutch hits. In fact, Houston has more wins this postseason (four) than it does hits with runners in scoring position (three). The Astros were 2-for-6 with RISP in Game 1 of the AL Division Series against Seattle, 1-for-6 in Game 2 and 0-for-11 in Game 3, which they won, 1-0, in 18 innings on a homer by Jeremy Peña. Just imagine what the Astros will do if they start coming through with runners on base. |
The ALCS will be carried on TBS. Game 2 is on Thursday in Houston at 6:37 p.m. CT. 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 Yankees: RHP Luis Severino Astros: LHP Framber Valdez Projected lineups |
- Gleyber Torres, 2B
- Aaron Judge, RF
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Giancarlo Stanton, DH
- Josh Donaldson, 3B
- Oswaldo Cabrera, LF
- Harrison Bader, CF
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa, SS
- Jose Trevino, C
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- Jose Altuve, 2B
- Jeremy Peña, SS
- Yordan Alvarez, LF
- Alex Bregman, 3B
- Kyle Tucker, RF
- Yuli Gurriel, 1B
- Trey Mancini, DH
- Chas McCormick, CF
- MartÃn Maldonado, C
More information on Game 2 can be found here. |
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Yankees: After giving Stanton a start in left field for Game 1, look for the Yankees to return the slugger to the DH spot in Game 2, sending Matt Carpenter to the bench after a four-strikeout performance. The Yanks haven't faced a lefty starting pitcher since Oct. 3, when they saw the Rangers' MartÃn Pérez in Arlington. Astros: The only change the Astros might make is at designated hitter, which has pretty much been a black hole in the postseason so far. Mancini (0-for-6) and Aledmys DÃaz (1-for-15) have combined to go 1-for-21 in the first four games of the postseason. Astros manager Dusty Baker has alternated starts in each game, so perhaps it's Mancini's turn in Game 2. |
Yankees: Severino (0-0, 4.76 ERA in postseason) will make his second appearance of the 2022 postseason when he takes the mound for Game 2. The righty threw 5 2/3 innings in Game 3 of the AL Division Series vs. Cleveland, allowing three earned runs and striking out six en route to a no-decision. Severino is still looking for his first postseason win vs. Houston. He's made three starts, recording one no-decision and a loss in '17, and one loss in '19. Severino produced two quality starts vs. Houston in June this season, holding the Astros' lineup to a .186 batting average while allowing five runs over 12 innings, despite two losses. Astros: Valdez (0-0, 3.18 ERA in postseason) allowed two runs over 5 2/3 innings in Game 2 of the ALDS vs. the Mariners, walking three and striking out six in Houston's eventual 4-2 win. The lefty will be facing a heavily right-handed lineup, which may benefit the Yankees. Valdez was far more effective vs. lefties during the regular season, holding them to a .192/.274/.231 slash line, but he was still pretty effective against righties (.229/.300/.320). Valdez faced the Yankees once during the regular season, allowing three earned runs over six innings with three walks and seven strikeouts, taking a no-decision. |
Yankees: After bypassing most of his first-tier relievers in Game 1, look for manager Aaron Boone to be more aggressive mixing and matching behind Severino. Clay Holmes, Jonathan Loáisiga and Wandy Peralta all got a desperately needed day of rest; Peralta had appeared in the Yanks' first five postseason games this year before his number was not called on Wednesday. Astros: Baker figures to have all his weapons available for Game 2, except perhaps Rafael Montero, who threw 30 pitches in Game 1. Setup man Héctor Neris threw only 12 pitches, and closer Ryan Pressly threw only 15 to get a four-out save in Game 1, so they should be good to go. |
Yankees: Bader's solo homer off Justin Verlander in Game 1 was his fourth this postseason, and he's tied with Bryce Harper for the most homers of all MLB players this postseason. Bader is the only player in Yankees history with four homers in his first six postseason games with the team. … Torres was 0-for-4 in Game 1 of the ALCS and is now 3-for-27 in the postseason. Astros: McCormick was 2-for-3 with a solo homer in Game 1. The homer was the first of his postseason career. He's recorded hits in all three of his postseason appearances in '22. Gurriel is 8-for-23 in the playoffs with three homers. … Altuve was 0-for-3 in Game 1 to stretch his hitless streak in the postseason to 0-for-22. |
Peña's three extra-base hits are tied for the most by a rookie in a postseason game, with Carlos Correa (2015), Evan Longoria ('08), Jacoby Ellsbury ('07) and Jim Gilliam (1953). … The Astros have won three consecutive ALCS games over the Yankees at Minute Maid Park and have a 9-6 record all time vs. the Yankees in the ALCS. The Astros have won their last three Championship Series in which they took Game 1, including 2017 against the Yankees. … Pressly's seven career postseason saves are the most in club history. |
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