ALCS preview: 3 things to watch for in Astros-Yankees series
By Kevin Henry
Finally, the American League Championship Series is set, with the New York Yankees squaring off against the Houston Astros in the best-of-seven matchup beginning on Wednesday night.
For the Houston Astros, it’s been a time of waiting after finishing off a three-game sweep against the Seattle Mariners in the ALDS on Saturday in the Emerald City.
Meanwhile, the New York Yankees survived not only the Cleveland Guardians in the other ALDS matchup, but also weather delays that resulted in some funky scheduling.
So, who has the edge? Here’s what to watch for when the ALCS begins on Wednesday.
3 things to watch in New York Yankees-Houston Astros ALCS matchup
3. Will the schedule really benefit the Astros?
The Astros had been waiting since the early hours of Sunday morning in the Lone Star State to see who they will be facing. New York will arrive late Tuesday night into Houston after finally ousting Cleveland. Can the Astros take advantage of the rest and hop on the Yankees early in Game 1?
The Astros also have the advantage of being able to completely reset their rotation, with Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez, the same two pitchers who started the first two games of the ALDS against Seattle, scheduled to take the mound in Games 1 and 2 against New York. The Yankees, meanwhile, have said Jameson Taillon will start in Game 1 and figure out the rest of the schedule from there. On paper, that’s a clear advantage for the Astros, even taking the travel situation out of the equation.
Houston enters the ALCS with home-field advantage, but playing in Houston could be even more of an advantage for Game 1 simply because the far-less-rested Yankees had to travel to get there.