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The Astros are one win away from returning to the World Series for the second time in three seasons. And with a fully rested Justin Verlander ready to go for Game 5 and if necessary, a fully rested Gerrit Cole for Game 7, it all looks good for the Astros.
But they still need to win one more game and they would probably like to do that so they can have both Cole and Verlander ready to go for the World Series.
And there is this note.
The Yankees had not lost back-to-back home games against the same team since April 2nd and 3rd ... until tonight. pic.twitter.com/NdUanyOasu
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) October 18, 2019
The Yankees have not lost three-straight games at home to the same team since Cleveland beat them three straight from August 28 - 30, 2017.
The Yankees have not lost three straight games at home to the same team in the postseason since 1942 when the Cardinals took three straight at Yankee Stadium to win the World Series 4-1.
Astros at Yankees - ALCS (Astros lead 3-1)
The Yankees perhaps best chance in this game was with one run in and the bases-loaded in the first inning. Alas, all they got was that run and that lead would be erased by a three-run homer from George Springer off Masahiro Tanaka.
The @Astros jump out to a 3-1 lead in Game 4 of the ALCS thanks to a three-run home run by George Springer.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 18, 2019
It's his 13th career postseason home run, passing his teammate José Altuve for the most in Astros history. pic.twitter.com/aALNO8Bmo2
One difference between the Astros and the Dodgers is the success their young core has had in the postseason.
George Springer strikes again. His 12 #postseason HR since 2017 are tied for the most in @MLB in that span with his teammate @JoseAltuve27. pic.twitter.com/OzwIkC6HSS
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) October 18, 2019
CC Sabathia came in as a reliever and he had to leave after recording two outs with what appeared to be an injury.
In possibly his final MLB appearance, CC Sabathia made an emotional exit after an apparent arm injury and received a standing ovation from Yankees fans pic.twitter.com/Vr1CWXxefs
— ESPN (@espn) October 18, 2019
Not a great postseason for this Yankee reliever
Adam Ottavino now has 4 appearances this postseason in which he did not record an out.
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 18, 2019
That's the most in a single postseason in MLB history.
Broke a tie with 2002 Scott Schoeneweis and 1996 Jesse Orosco.
Thursday’s scoreboard
Friday’s schedule - Championship Series
4:08 p.m. PT: Astros (Justin Verlander) @ Yankees (James Paxton)