HOU leads Series 2-1
The Yankees knew going into the ALCS that they would have a hard time against the likes of Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole, they just didn't expect those struggles to expect to struggle when neither starter had their best stuff.
First they lost Game 2, 3-2 in 11 innings when the bullpen couldn't hold a 2-1 lead against Verlander and the Astros, and on Tuesday the Yankees couldn't drive anybody in, stranding nine runners on base, as the offense went completely limp in RBI situations in a 4-1 Astros triumph.
The Yankees now find themselves down in the series 2-1. And the with the prospects of a rain out looming on Wednesday, there is a strong possibility Games 4 and 5 will be pushed back a day, meaning the Yankees will have to see both Zach Greinke and Verlander on regular rest in both of those contests. Not fun, but this is what happens when a team as talented as the Yankees fails to take advantage of a golden opportunity.
On Tuesday, Gerrit Cole just didn't have his best stuff. While Cole held the Yankees scoreless over seven innings, it required a ton of work on his part. Cole walked five batters, gave up four hits and tossed 112 pitches through seven innings. It was not easy, and by the time he left the game, the Yankees had to be kicking themselves.
After Astros' star shortstop Jose Altuve gave the 'Stros a 1-0 lead on a solo homer to center in the top of the first, the Yankees had their best opportunity go by the wayside in the bottom half of the inning.
New York loaded the bases against Cole, but the veteran righty found a way by jamming Didi Gregorius into a roll-over to second on a knuckle-curve ball.
But it wasn't just Gregorius who failed to capitalize in the inning. The Yankees opened the bottom of the first with singles by D.J. LeMahieu and Aaron Judge, but Brett Gardner flew out for the first out and Edwin Encarnacion popped up to second for another out. Both Gardner and Encarnacion have struggled this postseason, and in this series, yet Aaron Boone insists on batting both of them in the middle of the order.
An inning later, the Yankees had another shot, this time with two out, when Aaron Hicks walked and LeMahieu singled to center. That is when the fun ended as Cole struck out Aaron Judge on a slider down and away to get out of that jam.
Soon that 2-0 lead that Houston built on the solo homers by Altuve and Josh Reddick looked like Mount Vesuvius with each recorded out.
The Yankees next best opportunity to do any kind of damage against Cole ended in the cruelest of fates. With two out, Encarnacion doubled and Gleyber Torres walked to set the table for Gregorius. A postseason hero in the ALDS against Minnesota, Gregorius got the pitch he wanted and lifted it deep to right. It looked like the ball was about to sail out of Yankee Stadium -- until it didn't. The ball died at the warning track, landing in the glove of Michael Brantley for the final out of the inning.
Instead of celebrating a 3-run bomb from Gregorius, Yankees fans had to know this game was just about over.Cole would finally settle in in the sixth inning, an didn't allow a single base runner over his final two innings of work.
Meanwhile, the Astros tacked on to their lead, scoring two runs in the top half of the seventh inning on a wild pitch and a sac fly to make it 4-0. The final two runs were charged to Adam Ottavino who continues to struggle out of the pen in this series; his ERA is an inflated 20.25.
Luis Severino took the loss for New York, allowing two runs on three hits over 4.1 innings of work.
If there is a Game 4 on Wednesday it will be a bullpen day for both teams. The Yankees could start Chad Green as an opener before going to JA Happ, or they could just start Happ tomorrow. The Astros will throw Jose Urquidy at some point in the game.
If Game 4 is rained out until Thursday, expect to see Game 1 starters Mashairo Tanaka and Zach Greinke return to the hill.
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