No matter who wins Astros-Rays Game 5, the Yankees are the real winners
Resting comfortably as the Astros and Rays head toward Game 5, the New York Yankees have emerged as big winners of that surprising development.
Going into the postseason, it seemed inevitable the New York Yankees and Houston Astros would meet in the ALCS. The Yankees held up their end, with a decisive sweep to extend their dominance of the Minnesota Twins, while the Astros took a 2-0 series lead in their ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays.
But the Rays won both games at home, as fans actually showed up to Tropicana Field and provided a home field advantage. That means Game 5 will be in Houston Thursday night, with Astros ace Gerrit Cole taking the hill in a win-or-go home game.
As Tampa Bay was winning Monday’s Game 3 by a 10-3 score, Justin Verlander got in the ear of Astros’ manager A.J. Hinch and demanded to start Game 4. Things did not go well for Verlander on three days rest Tuesday night, as he allowed three runs in the first inning. His velocity was fine, as his fastball averaged 95.1 MPH, so location appeared to be the primary issue as the Rays barreled up his stuff in the opening inning Tuesday night.
Justin Verlander threw 100 pitches in Game 1, and not one was hit at > 100 mph in exit velocity.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) October 9, 2019
He gave up *four* balls in play at > 100 mph exit velocity tonight — during the first inning alone, according to @MLB Statcast data. @RaysBaseball @MLBONFOX
With Cole going in Game 5 Thursday night, he’s not an option to start at least the first two games of the ALCS on Saturday and Sunday if the Astros advance. Verlander would go on regular rest for Game 2. So Zach Greinke, who started the aforementioned rough Game 3 against Tampa Bay, is surely going to start Game 1 of the ALCS for Houston–again assuming they advance.
The Yankees were riddled by injuries during the regular season, but they mostly had everyone who could be back return healthy well in time for the ALDS. One exception is outfielder Aaron Hicks, who may be ready to return from an elbow injury and play in the ALCS. Pitcher CC Sabathia, who was not on the ALDS roster as he deals with a shoulder issue, could also find his way to the ALCS roster as a bullpen option.
So as the Astros and Rays play a tension-filled game and exhaust all options Thursday night, particularly on the pitching side of things, the Yankees will be watching and resting as their third of four full days between games winds down.
Next. 3 takeaways from Yankees ALDS win over the Twins. dark
Friday could be a travel day to Houston for the Yankees, or they could be getting ready to welcome the Rays to town. Either way, the Bronx Bombers are the biggest winners of the upstart Rays pushing the favored Astros to the max in that Division Series.