AL Wildcard Game
Get your popcorn ready as playoffs are finally upon us. Tonight at 8 on ESPN the (83-75) New York Yankees host the (86-76) Houston Astros. Keep in mind the last time that Houston was in the playoffs was 2005 and they played in the World Series against the Chicago White Sox. This is the first time the Yankees have been in the since 2011 when Derek Jeter broke his ankle in the ALCS. But, This is not 2005 or 2011 this two teams are very different then those. Carlos Beltran is playing in the playoffs once again. Beltran has sixteen home runs and forty RBI's in the post season along with .333 batting average. Both teams are very similar in more ways then one. Both Teams are in the top in home runs as a team. Houston as a team had two hundred and thirty as a team, and two hundred and twelve for the Yanks. However the Astros are also the league leader in strikeouts as a team with one thousand three hundred and ninety two.
However, both teams are very different. The Astros have a Cy Young candidate in Dallas Keuchel who is (20-8) with an 2.48 ERA. He is 15-0 at home and 5-8 on the road. That might be the X factor in this game. Houston was also led young slugging left fielder Evan Gattis--who they traded for last offseason. Young stud shortstop Carlos Correa who was brought up in June. He batted .279 with twenty two home runs and sixteen RBI's along with fourteen stolen bases which was fourth on the team. Correa's battery mate on the other side of the field Jose Altueve, who is arguably Houston's best player was second in average, led the team in stolen bases with thirty eight. He also finished with two hundred hits yet again. Carlos Gomez was also added to the mix when Houston traded for him at the deadline. Since joining the team Gomez has hit .248 with four homers and ten stolen bases, and securing the Centerfield position. The Astros don't have that good of a bullpen which is going to be another X factor for New York.
For the Yankees, they were led by the best bullpen in baseball, and a "Murders Row" type of middle of the order. McCain, A-Rod, and Texiera were the three that led them this season with 26,33, and 31 home runs respectively. Brett Gardner who had a career year as the table setter. Gardner posted a .259 average with sixteen homers and twenty stolen bases. It was Gardner's first All-Star appearance as well. Didi Gregorius also caught fire after the All-Star break, he batted .294 with five bombs. We also can't forget about Alex Rodriguez who batted .216 with fifteen homers while collecting his three thousandth hit. Nathan Eovaldi was arguably their best pitcher this season going (14-3) with a 4.20 ERA. Eovaldi is not on the post season roster as a elbow injury put him on the shelf. Veteran C.C. Sabathia also will not be joining the team as he is going to rehab for his alcohol problems.
However, both teams are very different. The Astros have a Cy Young candidate in Dallas Keuchel who is (20-8) with an 2.48 ERA. He is 15-0 at home and 5-8 on the road. That might be the X factor in this game. Houston was also led young slugging left fielder Evan Gattis--who they traded for last offseason. Young stud shortstop Carlos Correa who was brought up in June. He batted .279 with twenty two home runs and sixteen RBI's along with fourteen stolen bases which was fourth on the team. Correa's battery mate on the other side of the field Jose Altueve, who is arguably Houston's best player was second in average, led the team in stolen bases with thirty eight. He also finished with two hundred hits yet again. Carlos Gomez was also added to the mix when Houston traded for him at the deadline. Since joining the team Gomez has hit .248 with four homers and ten stolen bases, and securing the Centerfield position. The Astros don't have that good of a bullpen which is going to be another X factor for New York.
For the Yankees, they were led by the best bullpen in baseball, and a "Murders Row" type of middle of the order. McCain, A-Rod, and Texiera were the three that led them this season with 26,33, and 31 home runs respectively. Brett Gardner who had a career year as the table setter. Gardner posted a .259 average with sixteen homers and twenty stolen bases. It was Gardner's first All-Star appearance as well. Didi Gregorius also caught fire after the All-Star break, he batted .294 with five bombs. We also can't forget about Alex Rodriguez who batted .216 with fifteen homers while collecting his three thousandth hit. Nathan Eovaldi was arguably their best pitcher this season going (14-3) with a 4.20 ERA. Eovaldi is not on the post season roster as a elbow injury put him on the shelf. Veteran C.C. Sabathia also will not be joining the team as he is going to rehab for his alcohol problems.
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