It’s a do-or-die playoff play-in, with the victor headed to Kansas City to play the Royals in the divisional round. Their faith in me gives me great strength and has allowed me to move forward with this decision with a clear mind. Marisnick, who often comes in as a pinch runner when not in the starting lineup, is second on the team with 24. But don’t think for a second that the Astros are just happy to be here. The Yankees are getting old and looking a little worn. The last time the Yankees lost 100 games was in 1912, 103 years ago. He did it in college when Arkansas went to the 2009 College World Series. But now that they’re in a must-win game, how will this young team respond?
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Houston is sending Dallas Keuchel, their best, to the mound on three days’ rest. The Astros led the majors with 121 stolen bases, with Jose Altuve besting the AL with 38…. Post-September 1st, they were 15-17 and resembled anything but a real contender.
During the regular season the Astros and Yankees played eachother seven times. 233 with a. 709 OPS in September and October. Who knows. Either way there’s a good possibility at least Gardner or Ellsbury sit tonight due to their recent struggles.
Keuchel has been outstanding this season, compiling a 20-8 record with a 2.48 ERA in 33 starts.
Manny Machado hit his 35th home run, connecting for a fourth consecutive game, and Nolan Reimold hit the first leadoff homer of his big league career.
Duda was the catalyst as New York stretched its road winning streak to nine games, matching the club record from 2006. Keuchel is not a flashy pitcher, he does not wow you with his stuff.
“At this point, the routine is there”, Keuchel said. “But this time of year whether it’s Keuchel, (Zack) Greinke, (Clayton) Kershaw or (David) Price, they’re all brand names”. On the road, he went 5-8 with a 3.77 ERA. He stepped into the cage and drove four balls in a row out into the very distant bleachers at Yankee Stadium.
The home/road conundrum has been a problem for the Astros all year.
Tanaka has a 2.83 ERA in five starts with Murphy behind the plate, Olney added.
Top 1st (0 outs) Tanaka throws out the first pitch for a ball and we’re underway! Overall the Japan native has served up 25 roundtripper’s in 154 innings. He put up decent numbers this year after returning from an elbow injury, though he battled wrist and hamstring issues, the latter of which caused him to miss a start during a big series with Toronto last month. Bob Nightengale from USA Today was in Phoenix yesterday as the Astros clinched their wild card berth and made it clear that they expect to beat the Yankees on Tuesday. “I can understand if he’s frustrated and upset, but he’ll be ready to go”.
However you want to label it, tonight’s game is the biggest at Yankee Stadium in three years.
Although everyone is focused on the game, CC Sabathia, the Yankees’ nominal ace, told the team Monday that he will enter rehab for alcohol addiction. This is no different.
Chipper Jones, whose Hall of Fame career ended in a home play-in game against the Cardinals flatly called it “stupid, to be honest”. The Jays hit 232 and the Astros 230. Still, Masahiro Tanaka’s ERA right now is 0.00 – same as Keuchel’s.
He’s a thorn in every pitcher’s side, an absolute pest who can hit any pitch, no matter where it’s located.
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Will the Yankees offense finally come alive? Make a mistake and A-Rod will make him pay. He batted. 444 (4-of-9) with three doubles and an RBI.
