The New York Yankees and Houston Astros have a history of memorable matchups, including their heated battles in the playoffs. The rivalry reached its peak during the 2017 American League Championship Series, where the Astros emerged victorious on their way to winning the World Series.
However, those series were marred by controversy, as the Astros were later found to have engaged in sign-stealing. The tensions between the two teams have only escalated since then. Whenever they meet on the field, emotions run high, and the atmosphere is charged with electricity. Meanwhile, as the Yankees host Astros for the first time this season, fans are likely to witness intense competition.
Yankees To Host Astros For The First Time Since ALCS Defeat
Last season, Houston Astros spoiled New York Yankees’ dreamy championship run. They swept the Yanks 4-0 in the American League Championship Series at the very own Yankee stadium. The Bronx Bombers had set no foot wrong the entire 2022 MLB season until ALCS. Naturally, the fans have held a lot of grudges in their hearts. Meanwhile, the Yanks are set to host the Astros for the first time since the ALCS loss. The matchup will be intense. The Astros remain 10-4 in the past 14 games, whereas the Bombers recorded 8-14 since July 15. As per stats, the New York-based team will start as underdogs. But they can’t be underestimated, as Aaron Judge is back in the lineup. On top of that, Giancarlo Stanton has recently picked up some form.
On the other hand, Houston Astros will have the services of their key trade piece Justin Verlander. Justin has had a terrific track record against the Yankees which will give Astros an upper hand. Nevertheless, the fans will witness elite-quality baseball over the weekend. The four-game series will garner a lot of attention from all over the league as two stalwarts team collide. Having said that, for the Yanks, the series holds larger importance. They remain on the brink of a playoff elimination for the first time since 2016. The outcome of the upcoming series will set the record straight for the reigning AL-East champions. As far Astros are concerned, they look comfortable in the West with a record of 62-47. Still, Houston will come out all guns blazing for the sake of triumphing the rivalry.
Yanks Gain Nestor Cortes, Looses Domingo German Ahead Of Astros Series
Ahead of the crucial series against the Houston Astros, the New York Yankees’ is set to make a shuffle in the pitching rotation. Nestor Cortes will return from the injury list after nearly two months as he recovered from a left rotator cuff strain. He will make a start on Saturday. On the flip side, the team has lost starting pitcher Domingo German not just for the Astros series but for the rest of the remaining season.
Domingo German voluntarily entered the Yankees alcohol abuse program as the pitcher recently had an alcohol-related situation. The club made an official release but refused to reveal any specific details. Moreover, general manager Brian Cashman suggested that German might not pitch for the remainder of the season as the top priority is his health for the moment.
