NEWSLETTER
Only one game of MLB postseason play last night, with the Yankees playing Game Two of the ALCS in Houston against the Astros. Tonight, another one-game night, it’ll be the Padres heading to Philadelphia for Game Three of the NLCS, tied with the Phillies at a game apiece.
Houston Astros 3, New York Yankees 2 – HOU Leads ALCS 2-0
The Yankees had the difficult travel schedule, having to head to Houston for these two games immediately on the heels of a very-delayed ALDS against the Guardians. The Astros seemingly took advantage, with the Yankees’ bats able to do very little in either game.
In Game One, Justin Verlander dominated. In Game Two, it was Framber Valdez being ridiculous. At one point this year, he had 25 straight quality starts (just THINK about that – and yes, of course it’s a single-season record), and so of course he did it again last night:
His curveball, in particular, was record-setting:
Which isn’t to say Valdez’s night was entirely without issue:
Those two runs were the only runs the Yankees scored in the game. The entirety of the Astros’ scoring came on an early three-run shot from Alex Bregman:
This didn’t wind up mattering in the final accounting, but it was such a wild play it’s worth highlighting. Gleyber Torres was simultaneously fantastic and kinda-terrible on this double-play:
The Yankees now pretty much have to win Game Three, as the series heads to New York. Funny thing is, if the game HAD been in New York, this Aaron Judge fly out to the wall would’ve left the ballpark and given the Yankees the lead in the 8th (the only ballpark in baseball it would’ve left):
Game Three is tomorrow at 4:07pm CT, with Gerrit Cole going for Yankees, and a TBD still listed for the Astros.
Full game highlights:
