Games 3-5 of the ALCS were a nightmare for the Houston Astros. They entered New York leading the Yankees 2-0 in the series, and left trailing 3-2. Dallas Keuchel, who dominated the Yankees in Game 1, had a rough outing in a Game 5 loss. He noted the tough atmosphere of the Bronx.
“New York is no joke. Yankee Stadium is a tough place to play,” Keuchel said, per Kristie Ackert, New York Daily News. “And it was rocking these three games. But it’s going to be rocking Friday for us.”
The three games could not have gone much worse for the Astros. They were outscored 19-5. In Keuchel’s Game 5 loss, he lasted only 4.2 innings, allowing seven hits and four runs. Game 4 was another disaster. Houston led 4-0 after the top of the seventh and went on to lose 6-4.
The good news for the Astros is that they are returning home.
Houston was 48-33 at home in the regular season and is 4-0 at Minute Maid Park during the playoffs, including two victories over New York. The Yankees, meanwhile, are 6-0 at home in the playoffs. But with a 1-4 road mark in the playoffs, they have had a harder time travelling.