EVERY-THING SPORTS
Peña power: Houston Astros take Game 1 of ALCS over Yankees, 4-2
Oct 19, 2022, 11:49 pm
Jeremy Peña had two doubles and a home run against the Yankees. Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images.
After all the trash talk from both fan bases, media, and onlookers. After the Yankees had a rain delayed game five. After they had the game pushed back. After the Guardians had their hotel rooms taken away and had to split up. After the Yankees pulled out a win or go home victory. After less than 24 hours from them playing a game and having to travel to Houston. The Yankees played the Astros in game one of the ALCS. Game one was a doozy!
The Astros, behind a masterful pitching performance from Justin Verlander, topped the Yankees 4-2. In a game where every run except one was scored off home runs. In a game in which Verlander threw 103 pitches in six innings when his counterpart (Jameson Taillon) threw 67 pitches in four and a third innings. In a game in which Verlander had 11 of the 17 Yankee strikeouts, while the Astros only struck out twice. Pitching was at a premium. Verlander threw 53 pitches in the first couple innings. Once he settled down, the Yankees didn't stand a chance.
The scoring started with Yankees' center fielder Harrison Bader hitting a 411-foot solo home run in the top of the second inning off Verlander. Astros' catcher Martin Maldonado doubled to right to score Chas McCormick in the bottom of the second to answer and tie the game at 1. In the bottom of the sixth, Yuli Gurriel and McCormick both hit solo homers to make it 3-1 Astros. The very next inning, Astros' rookie shortstop Jeremy Peña hit a solo shot to make it 4-1 Astros. In the top of the eighth inning, Anthony Rizzo hit a solo shot to make it 4-2 Astros and that's where the scoring stopped.
Having homefield advantage in the ALCS courtesy of the best record in the AL this year, the Astros made the most of it by winning game one. They were allowed to rest after taking care of business by sweeping the Mariners. This allowed them to set up their pitching staff. The Yankees weren't as fortunate. They couldn't set up their staff because they couldn't beat Cleveland in timely fashion. Couple that with them spending up pitching in a five-game series and choosing to reschedule game five, they're at a disadvantage.
The Astros are in clear control over the Yankees this series. They have the better pitching staff, starters and bullpen. Their lineup is more evenly distributed when it comes to the offenses. If it isn't Aaron Judge or Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees aren't getting it done. This looks like it'll be a five-game series. Six if the Yankees get lucky. One down, three to go. "Job's not finished."-Kobe Bean Bryant.
Up next: The Astros play Game 2 against the Yankees on Thursday with Framber Valdez on the mound.
Sunday night matchups don't get much exciting than this, as the Houston Texans host the Detroit Lions in prime-time at NRG.
The Lions come into this game on a six-game winning streak looking every bit of the best team in football. Houston on the other hand has lost two of their last three games with a struggling offense unable to protect their quarterback.
CJ Stroud has only one passing touchdown over this span, and is clearly having trouble adjusting to life without Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins.
If Houston is going to come away with an upset victory, they will need big performances from Tank Dell and Joe Mixon. After catching 4 passes against the Colts two weeks ago, Mixon not only failed to catch a single pass against the Jets, but he wasn't even targeted.
Considering the Texans' offensive line issues, choosing not to use Mixon as a pass catcher is hard to fathom. Especially since he and Dell are the team's top 2 playmakers.
What's working in the Texans' favor?
They play this game at home, where they are undefeated this season. A lot of the team's protection issues have popped up on the road, so communication should be easier for the offense on their home turf.
Bulls on Parade
We have good news and bad news about the defense this week. On the positive side, Azeez Al-Shaair and Jimmy Ward have returned to practice. If they're able to contribute on Sunday night, that would give the defense a lift.
And now for the bad news. Will Anderson has yet to practice this week after rolling his ankle in the Jets game. If he is unable to practice on Friday, it's hard to imagine he'll be active against Detroit.
X-factors
The Texans have to show some improvement on the offensive line this week.
Houston must lean on Joe Mixon again, as Nico Collins isn't expected to play.
Lions' Amon-Ra St. Brown is one of the best receivers in the league, and he does most of his damage from the slot. If the Texans continue to deploy Jalen Pitre against premier receivers in man coverage, St. Brown is going to light up the scoreboard.
What would a win over the Lions mean to Houston?
The Texans are no longer considered a true championship contender because of their losses to the Packers, Vikings, and Jets. In fact, the Bills are the only team with a winning record that the Texans have beaten.
An upset win over the streaking Lions would change that narrative.
What does Vegas think?
The Lions are currently favored by 3.5 and the total is set at 49 points.
Don't miss the full preview of Texans-Lions in the video above!
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