HOUSTON — The Astros have knocked out the Yankees in the ALCS two of the past three seasons — and no one has hurt them more than Jose Altuve, whose game-winning two-run homer in the ninth sent Houston to the World Series. And the Yankees home.

“To be honest, I never feel good on defense when [Altuve] comes to the plate,’’ Brett Gardner said. “It’s not just us. Every team feels like that. He’s one of the best players in the game. He got a pitch to hit and didn’t miss it.’’

He did that a lot in the ALCS — and Altuve also started a nifty double play on a Gary Sanchez grounder to second to end the top of the eighth.

But no hit was more important than his last.

“I was facing Aroldis Chapman, [who] is one of the best closers in the league,’’ Altuve said. “Nothing is easy with him. I just hit a homer, and I hope I don’t get to face him again because he’s that good. But at the same time, I was just thinking something I can drive, I have my game plan, I wasn’t trying to hit a homer. I was just thinking to hit the ball hard, get on base and keep the momentum. Thank God the ball went out and we won the game.”

Even after the dramatic ending, neither Aaron Boone nor Chapman regretted the manager’s decision to have Chapman pitch to Altuve after a two-out walk to George Springer.

“Not at all,’’ Chapman said through an interpreter. “For me, every time I go out there — whether it’s against the best hitter or the worst hitter — I am going to go after them.’’

Jake Marisnick was on deck, having come in as a pinch runner for Michael Brantley in the bottom of the eighth.

Boone said he didn’t consider putting Altuve on to get to Marisnick.

“Certainly not … an intentional-walk situation, but kind of pitching him aggressively like you’re ahead the whole time,’’ Boone said. “And I think [Chapman] did. He just hung a breaking ball. That’s obviously a pitch he’s trying to not give in and probably get down and out of the zone, see if you get a chase or something and he hung it.’’

And Altuve took care of the rest.

“The playoff version of him is spectacular,’’ Houston manager A.J. Hinch said.