The Yankees knocked off the Guardians by a 5-1 margin this evening, taking two elimination games to advance past Cleveland. New York is back in the AL Championship Series for the first time since 2019.
Awaiting them tomorrow: an Astros juggernaut that has had one of the better runs of playoff success in recent history. Houston has gotten to the ALCS in six straight seasons. The first of those seasons was their now-infamous run to a World Series that was later revealed to be aided by a sign-stealing operation. Houston has barely missed a beat in the half-decade since then, though, playing for the pennant every year. The Astros claimed the pennant in both 2019 and 2021 (eliminating the Yankees during the former season), and while they’ve not managed to win a World Series since 2017, they’ve joined the 1990’s Braves as the only teams to reach six consecutive Championship Series.
Houston has home field advantage after a 106-win regular season, claiming the AL’s top seed in the second half after an historically great first few months by the Yankees. The ’Stros swept their division-rival Mariners last week, earning three off days in the process. Their pitching staff should essentially be lined up as desired, and they’ll turn to presumptive Cy Young favorite Justin Verlander tomorrow evening. The Yankees will answer with Jameson Taillon for Game One after using top two starters Gerrit Cole and Nestor Cortes on Sunday and today, respectively, to survive the Guardians.
The Yankees, anchored by an all-time great season from Aaron Judge, led all American League teams with 807 runs scored. Houston finished third in that category, plating 737 runs. New York finished second in the Junior Circuit behind the Blue Jays in on-base percentage at .325, while the Astros placed fourth at .319. The Yankees finished second in slugging (again behind Toronto) at .426, while Houston was just behind at .424.
While New York had a slight advantage offensively, the Astros were clearly the best pitching team in the American League. They led the league with a 2.95 rotation ERA, a half-run better than the second-place Rays. New York came in third at 3.51. Astros and Yankees starters each fanned 24.8% of opponents (with the Astros leading the league by a fraction of a percentage point). Houston’s bullpen was also number one in strikeout percentage at 28.3%, while the Yankees checked in sixth at 24.2%. Houston (2.80) and New York (2.97) finished first and second, respectively, in bullpen ERA.
It’s a battle of the two teams that have looked to be the best in the American League, in some order, from start to finish. Yesterday, MLBTR readers weighed in on an NLCS that took the exact opposite form. In a battle of the Senior Circuit’s fifth and sixth seeds, the readership gave a 56-44 edge to the Padres over the Phillies. We’ll now put forth the same question for the American League. Which team is headed to the World Series: Astros or Yankees?
(poll link for app users)
Astros.
Houston is winning it all this year.
Though watching them lose to a sub-90 win NL team in two straight years would also be extremely funny.
Dusty gets his ring.
I can’t tell you how much this playoff for 2022 sucks. Why try so hard to win in a 162 season when a 3rd place team can win the WS? First or second, yes, third…You lost me. The Mets & the Braves carried on a monumental struggle for first. A third place team who won a 2 out of 3 game series is WS material? Not in my book. Manfred sucks & so does BB anymore.
Curly ;
You’re wrong and you’re right.
Let’s see if next year teams that appear to have a WC spot locked up come early September take their foot off the gas peddle some, and instead begin to ready their players for the playoffs.
Don’t really like Houston…. but they look alot better than the Yankees did… Yankees almost got eliminated by the Guardians in 4 games
Yankees. That team won’t stay down forever
Am rooting for the Yankees. Best franchise ever, and I love N.Y.
Must confess, am a White Sox fan, but never missed a game when Mantle and Maris came to Chicago.
Not the fans
Astros in 5
Yankees. Please. Please. Please. We need this. 2009 rematch.
Yeah. 2009 rematch would be pretty cool.
‘98 rematch would be fun too
2023 is gonna be fun. Angels VS Dodgers WS….JK..
If Arte sells the team to Elon Musk, then yes, this may happen. Ha.
That would be neat.
Every year I tell myself thats how it is gonna be. For maybe the first month of the season. Then the Halos always seem to have other plans and I focus back on the Dodgers.
I hope to see the Yankees lose. I’m tired of hearing that noise at home games when the away team strikes out
The strikeout whistle is fine. The two out, two strike klaxon is annoying.
The PC Richards whistle?
Astros and let bang those cans… ( Fine, I will not make that joke again )
With that written I would love it be Friars vs Astros and the San Diego Chicken win it all!
As a Sox fan, I’m hoping the Yankees beat the Trashstros. I’m sick of seeing the Astros.
Realistically, Astros probably win in 5. Yankees are still only hitting homeruns or nothing and that doesn’t bode well against tough teams. Judge and Stanton bombs won’t carry them like they did against an inexperienced Guardians team they just barely beat.
Well said, experience plays a huge part here I assume.
Should Houston making 6 straight CS appearances be seen as an indictment in the Dodgers’ teambuilding philosophy and bullpen management? Yes, the playoffs can be a crapshoot, but isn’t that true of every series?
I think the fact that the Astros can consistently be one of the top two teams in the AL year in and out even in the dumb playoff formats of recent years should be a testament to the fact that good teams find ways to win ballgames in small samples and the Dodgers’ poor playoff record over the past decade shouldn’t simply be written off as bad luck or ill-timed cold spells.
The Dodgers were by far the best team in baseball during the regular season. Post season is a whole different animal. Be happy with what they gave you. For 5 months nobody could touch them. Remember them that way.
Nobody but the Pirates this year, lol!
Absurd. No way Dodgers were by far the best team in baseball. Stros won 106 games in AL. Dodgers won 111 games in weaker NL and were booted out of playoffs. I can accept they had a better record but it’s absolutely delusional that the Yankees at one time called themselves the best team and the Dodgers started calling themselves that after the all-star break. The Astros are the best team in baseball, and have been for the last 6 years on a cumulative basis.
Yeah, cuz playing juggernaut teams like Oak, Tex and LAA make a team outstanding right? LAD had a better record, NYY had a tougher division
I felt Stros were a bit more complete, but calling NL weak is ridiculous.
I hear ya Fletch, but lets say they had ONE extra title under their belt..Would we have the same conversation? As far as the last 10 years, they have only been a goliath powerhouse for about 5 or 6 or those years. Heck, I have only been a fan of them for 3 years. And the last thing I want to do is make excuses…If they win next year everything else will be null and void. I guess it is like that with every team. No living in the past. You lose this year, gotta focus on the next. I just don’t see them as a failure. Only ONE team can take it all and they’re are some hungry teams out there. They might win the next 2 world series. A team can’t be seen as a failure for not winning a WS. Even once a team wins the pennant, how could you possibly guarantee they can go through the other team? Were the 1990’s Buffalo Bill’s failures? I wouldn’t say so. Getting to the WS is a feat in and of itself.
Not making the post season is a true travesty. That is failure.
TrumboJumbo;
Because I live in the eastern time zone I don’t see much of the Dodgers. When I do they seem to be overflowing with talent.
On paper Friedman and his staff have assembled a mind-boggling collection of players for years. At a time when it’s hard to find good young Catchers, they have an abundance of them – well trained in running games and handling pitchers. In spite of drafting low for years their farm system in August updates were found by many to be the best in MLB (I know – the public rankings are questionable…but nevertheless it seems that have a very good farm system). They’ve got quality pitchers seemingly coming out of their ears. They brought in Betts, Freeman, and Turner to anchor the offense, and all are above average in defense at their positions.
That team is looking like Tom Landry’s Dallas Cowboys before they finally broke through and won a championship.
What’s going on there? Is it the manager? Lack of leadership on the field and in the clubhouse? Is the team soft mentally and/or physically? Are they out partying and living off their celebrity in the area? Are the FO and manager overthinking things?
Enquiring minds want to know!
Sam, I certainly agree with every word you said. This year in particular? Bats went cold…The equivalent of your sure fire ace giving up 5 runs in the 1st inning of an elimination game. They were dead in the water for 4 games straight. They were cold the last few weeks of the season practically. I don’t see how anyone but the players could be to blame…What was Mookie’s problem?? Last year they got beat by a hungry and fine team.
Maybe expectations are too high. How many teams in history have won 2 or 3 WS titles in a 10 year span? Giants come to mind as of recently….90’s Jays…Yanks from long ago….Maybe expectations need to be tempered.
Sox have won three in 2004-2013, and that’s not including 2018. Also, there are many instances of that from the early days of the WS, although those don’t really prove the point.
Say whatever you want about the Astros….
It’s pretty impressive that they haven’t been caught cheating yet.
Guess we’ll have to wait for a fringe player to leave in free agency.
Say whatever you want about the Yankees …
Biggest cheaters in the history of baseball.
Say whatever you want about the Astros, Red Sox, Yankees
It’s pretty impressive that they haven’t been caught cheating yet.
Guess we’ll have to wait for a fringe/superstar player(s) to leave in free agency.
Hard to see anyone beating HOU, much less on such short rest.
Who cares? Can’t stand either of those teams.
Probably the only scenario on the planet where I want the Yankees to win. I hate both teams but gotta root against the cheating/tanking Asstros at all cost.
Yeah I can root for the Yankees to beat the Astros, but I woulda been much happier rooting for the Indians. On the Yankees front, Anthony Rizzo has been my favorite player since he stood up to Aroldis Chapman back in 2014 when he proved to be the leader of that Cubs team. He’s still one of my favorite players so I would love to see him get back to the World Series. As a cubs fan, I’m kinda hoping he’ll get to play against Schwarber in the series.
Also, where can I sign up for your Law Blog?
Bob loblaw lobs a law bomb!
Astros living rent free in this losers head
Astros will win, and I say that as a Yankees fan. They’re the best team in the AL, they’re rested, they’re healthy. What could propel the Yankees? Judge and Stanton both getting hot at the same time. Astros in 5.
I selected the Yankees out of a strong mixture of compulsion & hope, with a side of prayer. But, Houston is the clear favorite.
I try to honestly assess the team. The Yankees are very good, but a bit compromised at the moment. My assessment, however, won’t stop me for rooting for them because I know in baseball, the best team doesn’t always win! And as I noted, a hot Judge and Stanton can steamroll any team.
on the one hand, Yankees gonna be gunning for us so hard
on the other hand, we have seven pretty lights-out starting pitchers
You have more than lights-out pitching too. The Astros have a great team all around & on both sides of the ball. Not to mention that beast, Alvarez, is riding a hot streak. The really are just better than every other AL team, honestly.
If Yanks get hot, they can win, but it doesn’t look too promising, unfortunately.
The Yankees may have overused their effective relievers to beat the Guardians. We’ll find out.
It’s all very interesting but I have no clue.
There’s also the fact that the Yankees had to fly in after just winning game 5. Severino just pitched and so him and Cole may only start once this series, where as Houston’s best starters can pitch more than once.
I meant Cortes, not Severino. Whoops.
The one thing going for the Yankees is that Houston just had their offense shut down for 17 innings, by a variety of pitchers. So, their offense has struggled recently and then they went into a brief layoff. I’m not suggesting they aren’t capable of bouncing right back, btw. Just seeing the ray of light.
Stros should win in 5.
Which Verlander is going to show up? He may be unhittable during the regular season, but in the playoffs, he’s unpredictable.
No Reason to believe the Yankees can win this series based on past performance. Never know I guess? Maybe the Astros are a bit rusty? Yanks sneak out an early win or 2?
@BobGibsonFan
That’s playoff baseball. In the regular season, many of these pitchers are facing AAAA players. Houston played Oakland 19 times and the Angels 19 times. If you look at Verlander’s games he pitched, they were mostly against sub-.500 teams or non-competitive teams.
“In the regular season, many of these pitchers are facing AAAA players.
Old York;
That is a FANTASTIC POINT!
Never thought of it.
And it’s not AAAA players; it’s AAA players. Due to expansion and subsequent delusion of talent, teams have at least 25% of their rosters that goes up and down from AAA – which is here those players belong.
In games Verlander started this year the Astros were 20 and 8.
11 and 3 against teams over .500.
9 and 3 against teams under .500.
And 0 and 2 against the White Sox who were an even .500
Verlander pitched against the A’s 3 times and the Angels once. He pitched against Seattle 6 times.
So the theory of Verlander feasting on sub .500 teams is not true.
I want the Phillies to win it all. It won’t be easy vs NY or HOU. Still 3 wins away from getting there. I just don’t want the AL to win. I still have love for Rizzo. I want to see Harper win one even if he comes off as arrogant sometimes. He’s too good not to get at least one ring. Plus Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos and David Robertson are all former Cubs. The former two being teammates with the Cubs.
Yeah I’d kinda like to see the Yankees and Phillies because of Rizzo and Schwarbs. And of course the other ex-Cubs. I was even thinking it would be cool for Harper. His expression when Schwarber hit that bomb was priceless.
Here’s Harper’s reaction to Jason Heyward’s walk off grand slam a few years ago. twitter.com/obvious_shirts/status/1582566995756978…
Probably irrelevant but thought it was funny. Kinda works with Harper’s reaction
I agree it was one of the best reactions anyone could have. Another great reaction gif would be the “Daaaammmmnnnn” gif from Friday.
Yankees might get swept. They barely beat us and our offense sucks.
Waaaaaaaaa
Yankees in 6
Yeah!
Amazing that for the sake of parity… I’m rooting for the Yankees. So tired of seeing the Astros.
But Aaron Judge’s all or nothing approach to the ALDS was very problematic. He carried the team all season and he’s just striking out like crazy on garbage pitches hoping to connect with one
Astros* CHEATED in 2017* & 2018*
Comes around has come around!
Another one living in the past. Let’s enjoy the 2022 playoffs, Debbie!
The Yankees fairly earned all their titles right? What a joke
Also how many current Astros were with the team when the cheating was happening? AND it was their pitching that got them this far, which didn’t benefit from the cheating at all. Try learning some facts
Houston was the only team cheating? That’s news to me. Good grief.
Tough choice. Despite both being top ranked teams, they’ve looked vulnerable in the playoffs. Houston’s ace gets shelled by the M’s in game 1 and then the team can’t score a run until the 18th inning against the M’s. Yankees got lucky to face the pitcher that they did in game 5 to win it but got taken to the brink.
My guess is that Houston will win this series but it may take 6 or 7 games before that happens.
Hate to admit it but odds on the Astros with rest, and a full bullpen just may prevail, but the great thing about the playoffs, is that many times a player or players emerge to affect what otherwise seems like a likely outcome and write their names in the baseball history book……hoping that player or players wear the NY on their jerseys!
Go Yanks!
I thought the Astros were better than everyone all season, and they still are. It’s weird calling the Yankees an underdog, but they clearly are.
Houston has flown under the radar in some ways this year. Everyone was talking about the Dodgers chasing the wins record and calling them the best team after calling the Yankees the best team for the first half of the season. Plus, everyone has been watching Pujols/Judge (with good reason…amazing what they did this season!).
Yet, here they are playing in their 6th straight LCS. Pretty awesome accomplishment in its own right.
Anyone can win, but EVERYTHING is stacked against New York:
1) Injured bullpen
2) Injured lineup
3) Injured rotation
4) No rest day
5) 1 & 2 unavailable
It’s not great for them.
Yankee fans have their excuses prepared… nice.
I’m sorry that facts hurt your feelings.
My feelings aren’t hurt. I’m not a Yankee fan.
All teams have injuries, but not all teams have over $200 million payrolls. No rest and no number 1 or 2? Then win against the al Central team. Should have used Holmes to close out game 3. Yankees had 2 rainouts to help.
Sure the Astros are the favorite here but look what just happened to the dodgers. Owners the padres all season then bam knocked out in their first series. It’s baseball and that’s what makes it great. Hoping for a competitive serious, hoping but not expecting yankee fans to act like civilized human beings.
Red Sox fans are worse
Could be I just have a memory of yankee fans cheering when they played the Astros and the Yankees pitcher hit a batter. That’s just classless right there.
Realistically, thinking the Astros will win is the general consensus. I’m a Yankee fan and even think the Astros have the upper hand. But look at the Dodgers, they nearly got swept by the Padres and have one of the best line ups in baseball. Max Muncy for example is relentless and exciting to watch.
The Dodgers losing is an example that even the best teams can still lose. I see this series going 7 games. Verlander has always been terrible against the Yankees but his splits this season are otherworldly against NYY so who knows.
People seem to underestimate the Yankees starting pitching which is actually very good. I’m neutral on this question because I think the Yankees whare more hungry for another World Series appearance. Sick of seeing the Astros beat NY every season even though they deserve it
I think both teams are hungry & it’ll be a blast to watch.
Astros in 5.
I’m excited for this series and even though I think they’ll win it in 5, it will be a close series.
No way this series ends in 5 games
Like I said, it’ll be close. I could also see it going 6 as well.
Anything can happen man. Could be Yankees win in 5. The fact that the braves and dodgers both got knocked out early should show everyone that baseball has a lot of surprises. I voted Astros in 5 on a different site but this series it up in the air I don’t think it’s as one sided as people are making it seem
I agree. I certainly don’t think that Houston is going to blow them out and sweep, and the same can be said for NY. These games will all be close, but I do know that it will be fun (and stressful) to watch!
Yeah, again, no way this series ends in 5 for either team. I say Yankees in 7
Never say never my friend. Doubt anyone here would have bet money that the braves and dodgers would be knocked out so quick. It’s a battle of the top 2 teams in the AL both missing players (Brantley is a big miss for the Astros). Either way it’ll be a fun series Yankees trying to get revenge over the last 6 years and the Astros trying to prove cheating isn’t needed to win a title. As an Astros fan I say good luck Yankees let’s have a clean hard fought battle and the winner can proudly represent the AL in the World Series
Astros have already proven they’re amazing even without cheating. I’m not a Yankee fan that uses that against them. The 2009 WS Yankee team was full of roiders and most fans seem to forget that. Astros are a masterful team with very very talented athletes. I agree it will be a good series
Respect.
The Astros had the yankees number this year but as the Dodgers showed, the regular season doesn’t mean to much in the playoffs.
Submitted for your consideration.
Maybe Cashman hugged his best prospects at the trade deadline because Hal already told him he’s not paying to keep Judge, and the fallback plan is to try to trade for another (cheaper) star in the off-season to assuage the wrath of the fan base when Judge walks.
Are they going after Frazier?
“MLBTR Poll: Who Will Win The ALCS?”
Is this a trick question?
IMO, Donaldson should be sitting, IKF should be at third, and Peraza should be at short.