ALCS: 3 decisions that cost the Yankees in Game 3 vs. Astros

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: Adam Ottavino #0 of the New York Yankees reacts as he walks to the dugout after being pulled during the seventh inning against the Houston Astros in game three of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

2. Sticking with Adam Ottavino

Ottavino had a really good regular season for the Yankees, but he’s been struggling mightily for the past several weeks. He gave up the game-tying home run to the Astros in Game 2 and he followed it up with an entirely ineffective outing in Game 3.

Again, the postseason is evaluated on fine margins. Ottavino issued a walk to George Springer to open the inning. Then he was the victim of a little bad luck as Jose Altuve singled in the infield hole vacated due to the Yankees infield covering second base. The result was Ottavino exiting the game without retiring a single hitter.

It’s understandable that Boone wanted to stick with the pitching formula that served him so well in the regular season. The idea of trusting Ottavino with the seventh, Zack Britton with the eighth and Aroldis Chapman with the ninth was a perfectly defensible plan.

Boone still should have known better. Ottavino has pulled his trademark slider for weeks. That leaves him with just a slightly above-average fastball to work with. That pitch isn’t good enough to handle a powerful lineup like the one the Astros possess. Don’t be surprised if Ottavino stays nailed to the bullpen bench for the rest of the series.

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