ALCS Game 5 Preview
Where to start? Last night was one of the best games in recent Yankee history. While the wild card game was also a fantastic comeback, this was later in the game with much higher stakes. Yet again, this young team showed such perseverance.
You just have to tip your cap and give these guys respect. They don’t let anything get to them. Unlike me. Who was freaking the fuck out in the 7th inning. I mean all of Houston’s runs were bullshit. First three were because of a walk, catchers interference, and walk and the fourth was because of an error. It would’ve been brutal to lose such a big game because of that.
Going into this series, I had no clue what to expect. I watched a decent amount of the Astros/Sox series, and the Astros scared the hell out of me. But honestly? We’ve been the better team this series thus far. The first two games were a total toss up and we’ve been the better team by far the last two games. Not enough people are talking about our pitching. These guys have shut an insanely talented and dangerous defense the eff DOWN. I’m so glad Sonny didn’t end up getting the loss. Sure, he didn’t get the win either, but he finally got some run support in a game.
Now besides the fact that this was a phenomenal comeback, Yankee fans should also be excited because EVERYONE chipped in yesterday. Aaron reignited this offense with two MASSIVE hits. Gary joined in. So did Didi. Frazier had another huge hit. Headley even joined the party. Last night’s game wasn’t a few bombs, like we normally rely on. We got HITS. A LOT of them. Consecutively. And that is extremely reassuring. I mean if Aaron and Gary actually start doing the damn thing? Watch out.
Now for tomorrow, we’re facing Keuchel who was obviously lights out in game one. But going into game one, we didn’t know what we were getting. We were new to the series. Now we’re four games in. Won two straight. 14 runs in the last two games. Offense is clicking. We’ll be playing at home with Yankee Stadium the most electric it’s been in possibly a decade.
Like I’ve said for oh, I don’t know, every other game this series, the Yankees need to take advantage of small ball in close games. We won tonight. Yes. But Aaron got on first with no outs, Didi came up and there was a gap the size of Manhattan in the left side of the infield. Didi just dropped a bunt down the other day. Why not do it there?? You’re being given a free hit. I just cannot comprehend why you wouldn’t attempt it. And then boom, we go from runner on first no outs to no one on two outs. It’s the same shit, different day.
The key to tonight’s game is getting Keuchel out as early as possible. Work those counts. Get his pitch count up. Make him battle. Get some runs or do something that gets Houston scared enough to go to their bullpen because as you saw last night, they’re no where near as strong as ours. I mean Hinch made a massive error taking out McCullers tonight. It was very Joe/CC a la game two, if I do say so myself. But win tonight, and then we can clinch in Houston on Friday. Much rather have to win one of two away than two straight. But this team is capable of absolutely anything and I can’t wait for 5:08. Let’s go Yanks.
