Yanks Go Yard Radio Show Rewind: Astros-Yankees Preview (8/24-8/26)

By Ricky Keeler | Aug 24, 2015

On last night’s episode of the Yanks Go Yard Radio Show, I started off the show by talking about the disappointing series that the New York Yankees (68-55) had against the Cleveland Indians over the weekend. By losing three out of four to Cleveland, the Yankees are now out of first place, but could tie the Blue Jays with a win tonight since Toronto has the night off.

The difference in this series was the offense not coming through in many late game situations. The Bronx Bombers did put up five runs in the first two innings of Saturday’s win, but without Mark Teixeira (and A-Rod for the final two games), they were not able to do damages against the likes of Josh Tomlin on Thursday and Trevor Bauer yesterday.

Off the field, the Yankees once again put together excellent ceremonies for Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte as they got their numbers retired and a plaque that is now in Monument Park. The Yankees are 4-3 on this homestand and they will finish it up with a three game series against the AL West leading Houston Astros (69-56).

More from Yankees News

Over the weekend, the Astros swept the Los Angeles Dodgers at Minute Maid Park, a series that included a no-hitter by Mike Fiers on Friday night. Fiers was one of the team’s acquisitions before the trade deadline along with center fielder Carlos Gomez from the Brewers. Plus, the team got Scott Kazmir from the Oakland A’s and he has a 2.41 ERA in his last six starts.

Right now, when you look at A.J. Hinch’s club, he has the team with the best ERA in baseball (3.35). In fact, over the last 34 games, Houston’s 2.73 ERA is the second lowest in the game, behind only the St. Louis Cardinals. Most will talk about the rotation being the strength when they have a Cy Young candidate in Dallas Keuchel (Tuesday’s starter), but don’t underestimate the bullpen, which has a 2.63 ERA this season (second in the AL behind the Royals).

On offense, Yankee fans will get to see shortstop Carlos Correa in person in the Bronx. In 66 games, the 20-year-old rookie is hitting .278 with 15 home runs, 43 RBI’s, and a .345 on-base percentage. Houston is a team that can hit the long ball as well as they lead the league with 169 homers (Luis Valbuena leads the team with 22).

To talk more about the Astros in what could be an ALDS preview, I spoke with Eric Hyusman, the co-editor of Climbing Tal’s Hill. Eric gave his takeaways from the split series the two teams had back in June, an update on George Springer’s health, and why the Astros need to win more games on the road. Their 24 road wins are tied for the second fewest in the American League. Here are some of the other topics we discussed:

Atmosphere in Houston during the sweep of the Dodgers this past weekend
Concern over Carlos Gomez’s struggles with Houston since the trade
Pitching Matchup Breakdown
Scott Feldman (tonight’s Astros starter) has a 2.87 ERA in his last six starts
Nathan Eovaldi (tonight’s Yankees’ starter) has ten walks in his last four starts
Dallas Keuchel is unbeaten at home, but he is 3-6 with a 3.45 ERA on the road
Ivan Nova (tomorrow’s Yankees’ starter) still struggling with command
Colin McHugh (Wednesday’s Astros’ starter) has given up two runs or fewer in five of his last six starts
Is Michael Pineda’s return to the rotation Wednesday the boost that the Yankees need?
Astros Hitters To Watch: Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve
Yankees Hitters To Watch: Carlos Beltran and Brett Gardner
How will Hinch manage the innings of Lance McCullers and Vincent Velasquez
Biggest threat to the Astros in the AL West: Angels or Rangers?

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE YANKS GO YARD RADIO SHOW!!!

More from Yanks Go Yard

Home/Yankees News