Astros have Yankees back up against the wall with 3-1 lead in ALCS

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 17: Carlos Correa #1 and George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros celebrate an 8-3 win of game four of the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on October 17, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 17: Carlos Correa #1 and George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros celebrate an 8-3 win of game four of the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on October 17, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

The Houston Astros have taken three straight games, putting the New York Yankees in a dire situation, now down three games to one in the ALCS.

The American League pennant is one game closer for the Astros, as they try to close the door on the Yankees tonight with Justin Verlander on the mound. After last night’s 8-3 loss, the Yankees find themselves in a desperate spot, now having to win out to take the ALCS.

In MLB postseason history, teams with the home-field advantage that have been up 3-1 have taken the series 85.7% of the time. To tip the odds more in favor of the Astros, those teams in the past weren’t staring down at Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole still ahead on the schedule.

As they’ve done so many times before, Carlos Correa and George Springer took care of business each hitting a three-run homer, putting the game out of reach for the Yankees. That was the sixth time this deadly duo have hit home runs in the same postseason game, a feat that has never been accomplished by teammates in MLB history.

That was also Springer’s 13th postseason homer, setting a franchise record taking the lead over Jose Altuve. Correa’s home run also put him in the record books, becoming the youngest player to reach the ten home run mark in postseason history.

The Yankees didn’t make it easy on themselves failing to take advantage of the opportunities given them. Greinke was able to get himself out of a jam after walking in a run in the first inning by striking out Gary Sanchez with the bases loaded. The Yankees ended up stranding nine players on base and went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

The Astros are on the brink of winning their second pennant in three years tonight, as they play the final game of this series in New York. Justin Verlander will be looking to put the ALCS to bed tonight going up against James Paxton. As much fun as it would be to win this series here in Houston in front of a home crowd, I’d feel a whole lot better if the Astros just lock it up tonight. Take it back Houston!

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