Houston, We Have A Problem (The Yankees)
The Houston Astros have the second best record in the American League, but because of its vaunted rotation, the A.L. West leaders are the favorite to go the World Series.
Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, Zack Grienke and Wade Miley have lead the Astros to 40 games over .500. Verlander just threw his third career no-hitter. Cole might be the only guy who can beat Verlander for the A.L. Cy Young. Grienke was 4–0 in his first five starts for Houston and Miley has a 13–4 record and a 3.06 ERA.
Verlander, Cole and Greinke are All-Stars, but they are all susceptible to the long ball. Verlander and Cole, who are ranked 1–2 in strikeouts and ERA in the A.L., also are among the AL leaders in home runs allowed. Verlander has been taken deep 33 times (2nd most) while Cole has given up 26.
Verlander is a great pitcher, especially against bad teams.
124–45 2.94 ERA vs teams under .500
97–83 3.73 ERA vs teams over .500
Grienke too!
111–38 3.06 ERA vs teams under .500
90–85 3.67 ERA vs teams over .500
Here is how the Astros Starters have done against the Yankees in their careers.
Justin Verlander
8–7 3.55 in 22 career starts against NYY
3–4 4.05 ERA 10 starts at Yankee Stadium (only place with more than 3 starts where he has a losing record).
Gerrit Cole
1–0 4.15 ERA vs Yankees in 2 starts
1–0 4.50 ERA at Yankee Stadium
Zack Grienke
4–4 5.05 ERA vs Yankees in 15 appearances including 12 starts
0–2 8.82 ERA at old Yankee Stadium 3GS
0–1 11.57 ERA Yankee Stadium 2 starts
Wade Miley
0–4 5.98 ERA vs Yanks in 11 career starts
0–1 6.48 ERA at Yankee Stadium 7 starts
That’s not a lot of success against New York, but Verlander is 5–0 in the postseason against the Yankees, including 2–0 with a 0.56 ERA as the 2017 ALCS MVP. He’s the only remaining starter from that World Series Championship team.
The Yankees rotation has finally started pitching up to their abilities. The bullpen has been lights out. The Yankees are 24–0 when Ottavino, Kahnle, Britton and Chapman all pitch in the same game. They won 21 games and hit 74 HRs in August. They have 41 comeback wins. This team just keeps coming at you until the last out.
The Astros are very good, but so are the Yankees. It’s going to be a battle, but the Yankees match up very well in a 7 game series.
