3 keys to Yankees-Astros Game 3

The Yankees and Astros will face off in the Bronx Tuesday afternoon in a pivotal Game 3 of the ALCS. Here are three things that should decide the game.

The ALCS heads to the Bronx with a tense series between the Yankees and Astros knotted at one game apiece. The winner of Game 3 has a chance to take the driver’s seat on their way to a World Series berth. Expect tons of tension in both dugouts on Tuesday afternoon.

The two teams are very evenly matched, which means the outcome of the pivotal game will come down to very fine margins. Fans should keep a close eye on these three issues when forecasting the potential winner.

3. Astros must handle the moment

The Astros are a team that’s used to playing in front of hostile environments in the postseason. However, they’re going to face a truly raucous environment on Tuesday afternoon. Houston gets a slight break that it’s not a true night game, but that’s only going to slightly disarm the crowd in the Bronx.

No one associated with the Astros will give any credence to the possibility that the crowd might be a factor heading into the game. That does not mean it can’t have a tangible effect on the outcome of Game 3 and the series overall. If the Yankees can put Houston’s pitching under legitimate pressure early in the game, it’s possible that the pressure of the moment can get to someone in the Astros’ dugout.

For the record, the Yankees also need to be careful they don’t play with too much emotion. Their hitters can’t try to hit every Gerrit Cole pitch to the moon. Luis Severino also can’t try to throw every fastball at 110 miles per hour in the early innings.

Both teams will need to keep cool heads if they want to take Game 3.