In Friday night MLB playoff action, the Houston Astros and New York Yankees will play Game Five of the ALCS from the Bronx. Last night, SS Carlos Correa crushed a three-run blast in the sixth inning to power Houston an 8-3 road victory. George Springer connected on a three-run shot in the third inning to get the Astros started.
2011 Cy Young Award winner and MVP Justin Verlander (21-6 2.58 ERA) will get the nod for the Astros in this matchup. Through 17 plus innings this postseason, Verlander has struck out 20 batters and owns a 1.21 WHIP.
The New York Yankees won 57 of their 81 home games during the regular season and now need to win at home to keep their season alive. In Game Four, SP Masahiro Tanaka gave up four runs (three earned) in five innings and took the loss. Gary Sanchez crushed a two-run home run in a losing effort for the Yankees.
The Yankees will counter with thirty year old left-hander James Paxton (15-6 3.82 ERA) in Game Five. Through 150 plus innings during the regular season, Paxton fanned 186 batters and posted a 1.28 WHIP.
