The American League Championship will get underway on Saturday, when the New York Yankees invade Minute Maid Park to take on the Houston Astros. New York made quick work of Minnesota in the ALDS, outscoring them by a 23-7 margin during the three-game sweep. In the series clincher, 2B Gleyber Torres had three hits and score three runs during a 5-1 road victory.
Thirty year old left-hander James Paxton (15-6 3.82 ERA) will make his second career postseason start for the Yankees. Last time out, Paxton gave up three runs across four plus innings of a 10-4 home victory versus Minnesota in Game One of the ALDS.
While the Yankees were cruising in round one of the postseason, the Houston Astros needed all five games to eliminate Tampa Bay. On Thursday, SP Gerrit Cole struck out ten batters and allowed just two hits over eight innings to lead Houston to a 6-1 home victory. Michael Brantley and Jose Altuve each went deep for the Astros.
Thirty-five year old righty Zack Greinke (18-5 2.93 ERA) will head to the hill for the Astros in the series opener. In his last start, Greinke was rocked for six runs in three plus innings during a 10-3 road loss against Tampa Bay.
