Yanks Go Yard Radio Show Rewind: Astros-Yankees Wild Card Preview

By Ricky Keeler | Oct 6, 2015

On last night’s episode of the Yanks Go Yard Radio Show, we used most of the episode to breakdown tonight’s AL Wild Card matchup between the Houston Astros (86-76) and the New York Yankees (87-75) at Yankee Stadium (8:08 PM ET, ESPN). In addition to the game, we also discussed CC Sabathia leaving the team to check in to an alcohol rehabilitation center. The news was stunning, but give credit to Sabathia for admitting he had a problem and asking for help.

As for the game itself, the Astros and the Yankees played seven times during the regular season with A.J. Hinch’s squad winning four out of the seven games. While the Bronx Bombers lost six of their last seven games, Houston won four of their last six games on the road despite being the team with the worst road record in baseball.

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This season, Houston’s offense put up the sixth most runs in the game, had the second highest slugging percentage, and second in home runs. The Astros have a power-laden lineup, but a player to watch is shortstop Carlos Correa. The 21-year-old rookie of the year candidate in the American League hit .279 in 99 games with 22 home runs, 68 RBI’s, and a .345 on-base percentage.

One player to watch specifically in this game for the Astros is designated hitter Evan Gattis (.246, 27 HR, 88 RBI’s). Gattis, who was acquired by Houston via a trade with the Braves this winter, has hit .426 against New York this season with three home runs and ten RBI’s (all three home runs at Yankee Stadium).

On paper, it looks to be an excellent pitching matchup as Masahiro Tanaka (12-7, 3.51 ERA) will get the start for the Yankees against one of the candidates for AL Cy Young, Dallas Keuchel (20-8, 2.48). Tanaka gave up six runs over five innings in a no-decision on June 27 against Houston, but everyone is talking about how Keuchel has dominated the Yankees’ lineup this season. The 27-year-old left-hander has not given up a run in 16 innings this year against New York.

For the first part of this episode, I spoke with Scott Stone, the Astros’ writer at Baseball Essential, to get his take on Houston’s final six games, Keuchel going on three days rest for the first time in his career, how does Houston’s bullpen stack up against the Yankees, and who are some of his X-Factors for this game.

Then, Yanks Go Yard staff writer Harrison Marder joined me to talk about the Sabathia news, the possibility of John Ryan Murphy and Chris Young being in tonight’s lineup, whether or not the Yankees’ struggles this past week will carry over to the game, the expectations for Tanaka tonight, and we make our picks for who advances to the ALDS to take on the defending American League champions, the Kansas City Royals.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE YANKS GO YARD WILD CARD PREVIEW SHOW!!!

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