The Washington Nationals have already reached the 2019 World Series, and they could find out their opponent as early as Friday night. The Houston Astros have taken a 3-1 series lead over the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series, with Game 5 taking place Friday night. The Yankees will be hoping to stave off elimination and force the series back to Houston, where they have already won once this series.
The Yankees started off this ALCS with a bang, winning the opener by a score of 7-0 over the Astros. New York has managed just six runs in the three games after that and have fallen into a 3-1 series deficit. The Astros have used their starting pitching to win three straight games, but their offense has shown up as well. Houston is trying to make it back to the World Series for the second time in three seasons. New York is -134 over Houston in Game 5 of the ALCS.
Yankees Not Finding Any Offense
The New York Yankees put up seven runs in Game 1 of this series, but their offense has disappeared since that point. The Yankees had plenty of men on base in the Game 4 loss but stranded 10 runners and were only able to muster three runs. Gleyber Torres has been the offensive star for the Yankees so far this series, but he has been the only one hitting. Giancarlo Stanton was forced out of the lineup in Game 4 with a sore leg, and the Yankees are running out of time to fix things. Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer off of Justin Verlander in Game 2, and perhaps he can connect again.
James Paxton will be back on the mound for the Yankees in this game, and he pitched well in Game 2. Paxton gave up just one earned run in 2 1/3 innings before Aaron Boone decided to employ his bullpen. The lefthander went 15-6 with a 3.82 earned run average during the regular season, and the Yankees feel confident when he is on the mound. Keeping the ball in the ballpark will be priority number one against this powerful Astros lineup.
Verlander Makes Start For Astros
Verlander will take the ball for the Astros in Game 5, and he has a history of being dominant in the postseason. Verlander went 6 2/3 innings in a Game 2 victory and gave up just two runs to the mighty Yankees. The veteran right-hander went 21-6 with a 2.58 earned run average during the regular season and was one of the top pitchers in baseball.
Houston hit a pair of three-run home runs in its Game 4 victory, and this is one deep and talented lineup. Carlos Correa and George Springer have been delivering the big blows against the Yankees, but the Astros continue to make opposing pitchers work hard. The Astros have scored 15 runs over their last three games, and another five runs in this game would probably seal the deal.
Yankees Live To Play Another Day
The Houston Astros have been the best team in baseball all season long, and they are showing their dominance in this series. The Yankees have been outplayed for much of this series, but it’s hard to imagine them losing three straight home games. New York has a terrific offensive lineup, and they are going to find their offense again at some point. Expect a low-scoring affair in Game 5, but the Yankees are going to keep their season alive with a victory. Bet the New York Yankees -134 over the Houston Astros in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series.
