The next man up mentality has been fun in New York. But after losing 3 in a row after winning the first game, the Yankees have dug them a hole that no man can get out of. The Yankees had their shot. They took game one against Greinke. Had it tied when Verlander was taken out of Game 2. It turned into a bullpen game, to which the Astros bullpen gave up nothing and took a W. Game 3 the Yankees ran into the buzzsaw that was Gerrit Cole. 2-1 Astros. And tonight in Game 4, well errors, and timely hitting for the Stros did the New York Yankees in.

What the Yankees will have to Overcome

I have to imagine these two are in batter’s nightmares all over the MLB. Photo Credits to usatoday.com

In any order, Game 4 and Game 5 means Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole pitching at home against the Yankees. Those two have been the AL Cy Young candidates all year, and Verlander knows pitching in clinching games from his time in Detroit. I have to assume it will be Verlander Game 4 and Cole Game 5, but either way, it spells out trouble for the bombers.

What the Yankees need to do to Overcome the Deficit

The starting pitching in the postseason has been much better than they showed over the regular season, and that will need to keep that up. But my goodness, the Yankees need to stop striking out and hit better with runners in scoring position. In just Game 4, the Yankees struck out 13 times. I get go big or go home, but if the Yankees don’t cut down on the swings and misses they will go home. In the fifth inning the Yankees had bases loaded and one out. The next two batters Gleyber Torres and Edwin Encarnacion, well they both struck out. And in a 3-1 ball game at the time, that was a huge momentum swing for Houston. You know how big the momentum swing was? The next inning, Correa hit a 3 run homer which at the time felt like the Astros put the game out of reach.

With upcoming games against guys like Cole and Verlander, the Yankees will need to shorten up and put the ball in play with runners in scoring position.

Previewing a Possible Nationals – Astros World Series

I don’t think I am crazy to think the Astros will win the ALCS. So why not look at what might be pitching porn. Scherzer, Verlander, Cole, Corbin, Greinke, Sanchez and Strausburg, any way that those 6 match up will be must watch. Now Tigers fans may shield their eyes if Scherzer and Verlander match up or if Anibal Sanchez does anything. But, they will have to get over it as this could be one of the best pitching matchups of any world series ever.

What Hurt the Most on Thursday

C.C. Sabathia probably had his last appearance for the New York Yankees. He definitely made his last appearance in Yankee Stadium. But what hurt was when C.C. had to leave due to injury. Pitching in a big situation in the 7th, the fans tried to will Sabathia through the inning, but he was unable to overcome the pain. As a veteran that has pitched in big games throughout my lifetime, I have always been a fan of watching the hefty lefty. Watching him struggle through what very well could be his last appearance ever was certainly not the gracious end that many were hoping for.

Game 5

Believe it or not, the New York Yankees are still not out of it. It looks very grim, but there is still postseason baseball on tomorrow. And just because the series may be over, doesn’t mean you should not watch it close. Verlander, Judge, Altuve, Bregman, Gleyber, Gary Sanchez, Correa, Springer, all those guys will be on the field playing still. So enjoy watching the ALCS although it very well could end tomorrow night in Houston.

Featured Image. MLB Playoffs: Yankees’ CC Sabathia left off ALDS Roster. Photo Credits to usatoday.com