The Houston Astros are one win away from their second World Series berth in three years. Houston took down the Yankees 8-3 on Thurday night in New York, to take a 3-1 lead in the ALCS.
Six of Houston’s runs came thanks to three-run dingers from George Springer (while trailing 1-0 in the third inning) and Carlos Correa (in the sixth inning).
After a very shaky first inning that featured three walks (including a run-scoring walk), Houston starting pitcher Zack Greinke ended up allowing just one run over 4 1/3 innings. And the Yankees’ defense was brutal; infielders D.J. LeMahieu and Gleyber Torres each had two errors.
Now, the Yankees are in big, big trouble. They’re an extremely talented team that’s easily capable of winning three straight games… but the Astros are the most talented team in baseball and entered the postseason as World Series favorites. Beating this Astros team three straight times, with two of the games in Houston, and with Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole starting two of the games, is one hell of a task. If the Yankees are able to complete the comeback, they will have certainly earned it.
But the Astros will look to just end the series on Friday in New York, with Verlander on the mound. Winning Game 5 would also allow Houston to start Cole in Game 1 of the World Series against the Washington Nationals next Tuesday (and Verlander could probably follow in Game 2 next Wednesday).
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.