Yankees dig depths of incredulity in making excuses for Astros’ 2-0 ALCS lead

The Houston Astros took a 2-0 lead in the ALCS on Thursday, but they wouldn’t have without the aid of that meddling roof at Minute Maid Park.

Or so the New York Yankees say.

In one of the odder and more pathetic excuses made by a team after losing, Yankees manager Aaron Boone put the blame not on his own team’s play nor gave the credit to the Astros. He blamed the roof for the Astros’ 3-2 victory.

What did the roof do to the Yankees? Apparently it being open kept Aaron Judge’s attempt at a home run in the park in the eighth inning. Had the ball left the park, it would have given the Yankees a 4-2 lead.

Instead, right fielder Kyle Tucker caught the ball at the wall.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone blames the roof for Astros 3-2 victory over his team

“Who would have thought, I think the roof open kind of killed us,” Boone said. “I think it’s a 390 [foot] ball…when I went out to take Sevy out, we noticed with Tucker’s ball…the wind was blowing across like that. I think Judgey’s is a homer every time. I didn’t think he smoked it, like a no-doubter, but it felt like his homers to right.” (Via Audacy)

Maybe Boone was correct. Judge’s exit velocity was a healthy 106 mph with an expected batting average of .910, per Baseball Savant.

Even Astros catcher Martin Maldonado told MLB Network, “Thank God the roof is open today.”

But that’s baseball. Both teams played in the same elements. Both teams had hard-hit balls turn into outs. Both teams had balls that drop in more often than not turned into outs — Jose Altuve had a hit stolen and turned into a double play in the seventh inning himself.

That wasn’t the only complaint to come out the New York side after the game ended.

Yankees starter Luis Severino said Alex Bregman “got lucky” with his third-inning three-run home run.

“I mean, he hit it at 91 [mph],” Severino told reporters after the game. “That’s the only thing that I’m going to say. Judge hit it at 106 and it didn’t go out. They got lucky.” (Via SI)

Again, that’s baseball. When it happens, you have two choices: make excuses or just brush it off and move forward.

It’s clear to see the Yankees are frustrated and making excuses, which only plays into Houston’s hands all the more. Opening the roof just got in the Yankees’ head.

The Astros are 5-0 this postseason. The ALCS continues 4:07 p.m. CT Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

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