New York Drops Their Third Straight And Is Now Down 3-1 To Houston In The ALCS

Since game one of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park things haven’t gone New York’s way.

Including in game four in the Bronx.

The Astros’ George Springer and Carlos Correa notched the game-changing hits that the home team could not, slugging a pair of three-run homers that pushed the Yankees to the brink of elimination with an 8-3 loss at Yankee Stadium. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-astros-in-game-4-of-alcs

The Yankees now trail the best-of-seven ALCS three games to one, and their path includes a pair of substantial stumbling blocks in leading AL Cy Young Award contenders Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole, needing to defeat both if they are to advance and face the Nationals in the World Series. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-astros-in-game-4-of-alcs

Springer’s third-inning homer was hit off Masahiro Tanaka, who was charged with four runs (three earned) on four hits and two walks over five-plus innings. Tanaka lamented that splitter that stayed up in the strike zone, but the onus must be placed upon the offense -- a recurring theme during this ALCS, in which the Yanks have gone 4-for-27 with runners in scoring position, leaving 33 men on base.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-astros-in-game-4-of-alcs

The Yankees were unable to convert several of those tantalizing opportunities in Game 4, including a big first-inning spot that would have knocked starter Zack Greinke out of the game. Greinke appeared to be rattled by the boisterous crowd of 49,067 as he walked three, including a bases-loaded free pass to Brett Gardner that provided the Yanks with their first lead since the fifth inning of Game 2. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-astros-in-game-4-of-alcs

With Brad Peacock hurriedly tossing in the visiting bullpen, Greinke recovered to strike out the struggling Gary Sánchez on three pitches to end the inning. The Yankees were finally able to chase Greinke four innings later behind a LeMahieu single and a Judge walk, prompting Houston to call upon Ryan Pressly, who walked Aaron Hicks to load the bases with one out. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-astros-in-game-4-of-alcs

Pressly recovered to strand all three men aboard, striking out Torres -- rung up on a check-swing by first-base umpire Mark Carlson -- and then fanning Edwin Encarnación, who is 1-for-15 in the ALCS. Greinke survived the shaky four-walk effort, charged with a run on three hits over 4 1/3 inning “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-astros-in-game-4-of-alcs

“I missed the opportunity, but it's part of the game,” Torres said. “Tomorrow, I guess I've got another opportunity. I’ll make some good contact and try to make runs.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-astros-in-game-4-of-alcs

Correa provided the Astros with a healthy cushion in the sixth inning, clearing the left-field wall off Chad Green for the shortstop’s second homer of the ALCS. Sánchez reclaimed two of those runs with a sixth-inning homer off Josh James, having been 2-for-23 with 11 strikeouts this postseason at the time.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-astros-in-game-4-of-alcs

Adam Ottavino made another ineffective appearance in the eighth, as both batters he faced reached base -- one on an error by LeMahieu at first base. It was Ottavino’s fourth appearance of the postseason in which he did not record an out, establishing a dubious Major League record. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-astros-in-game-4-of-alcs

In what could be the final appearance of his 19-year Major League career, CC Sabathia faced four batters and retired two before leaving with a left shoulder injury, seeing Houston’s seventh run score on a Torres error. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-astros-in-game-4-of-alcs

In all best-of-seven postseason series, teams taking a 3-1 lead have gone on to win 73 of 86 times (85%). Under the current 2-3-2 format, those ahead 3-1 and holding home-field advantage in the series have gone on to win 39 of 46 times (also 85%). “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-astros-in-game-4-of-alcs

However, the Yankees can look to a recent example in the 2016 Cubs, who were down 3-1 to the Indians in the World Series before winning three straight -- including Games 6 and 7 on the road.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-astros-in-game-4-of-alcs

New York will turn to James Paxton on Friday night in game five to try to avoid elimination James Paxton is 10-0 in his last ten starts although the Canadian left-hander only lasted 2 1/3 in his last time out in game two in Houston.