The New York Yankees have advantage over Houston in ALCS
The Houston Astros struggled against the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS. Paired with the New York Yankees sweep of the Minnesota Twins, they might just have the advantage in the ALCS.
Fans have been waiting for a New York Yankees vs. Houston Astros ALCS all year but it almost didn’t happen.
After taking a 2-0 lead in the series, the Astros hopped on a plane to Tampa and lost two straight to Charlie Morton and Diego Castillo to even the series with a Game 5 in Houston.
The Astros had too many weapons for the Astros to shock the world but the Yankees should be confident heading into Houston for Game 1 on Saturday.
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As I mentioned, the Yankees had no problem with sweeping the Minnesota Twins, and now they have had the chance to rest their rotation and lineup while Houston has had to battle a Wild Card team in five games.
I also think the Yankees starters are lined up better than the Astros.
James Paxton, Masahiro Tanaka, and Luis Severino will be ready to go while Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke will both be coming off of shaky starts that resulted in losses.
Gerrit Cole won’t start until at least Game 3 in New York which could favor the Yankees to get out to a potential series lead. But if the series goes 7, that momentum could go Houston’s way because Cole will be pitching that elimination game.
Both offenses produced during the first round but I would still say the Yankees have a slight advantage in that department as well, considering Houston struggled on the road and the Yankees did not.
This series will certainly go at least six games because there is firepower on both sides and Aaron Boone and A.J. Hinch will be pulling all the right strings.
The New york Yankees do have the slight edge thanks to their first round sweep and the Astros struggles away from Minute Maid Park, but it will be a long series.