After shocking loss, Astros depending on Keuchel to stop Yanks in ALCS Game 5
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Dallas Keuchel has beaten the Yankees twice this year already. The Astros will need him to do it for a third time Wednesday in a pivotal game 5 of the American League Championship Series.
Once again, the Astros will barely have anytime to get over a game 4 defeat that arguably stung worse than the game 3 blowout in the Bronx.
Lance McCullers Jr. logged six innings pitched with just two hits, one run and three strikeouts. Holding a 4-0 lead, the lone run came off of an Aaron Judge solo home run in the bottom of the 7th.
Reliever Chris Devenski gave up another run in the 7th, making it 4-2.
Houston's undoing in game 4 came in the bottom of the 8th inning, when Yankees batters opened the flood gates against reliever Joe Musgrove and closer Ken Giles.
Houston improved on the scoring front Tuesday. The Astros broke through in the 6th inning, scoring three runs.
After the game 4 stunner, Houston now has a best-of-three series ahead. The rotation goes back to Dallas Keuchel, who will make his first road appearance in the postseason.
Keuchel struck out 10 batters in seven scoreless innings to open the ALCS in Houston last Friday.
In his last matchup with New York at Yankees Stadium on May 11, Keuchel allowed five hits and one run while also striking out nine batters in a 3-2 victory. Keuchel logged six innings of work in that game.
Thanks to the tied series at 2-2, the Astros are guaranteed to host at least one more home game. Game 6 is scheduled Friday at 7 p.m.
Limited tickets are available through the Astros' postseason website.
A potential decisive game 7 will take place Saturday.
The Astros will host a viewing party for game 5 on Crawford Street and Minute Maid Park. You will need to claim a free voucher to attend the party. You can claim yours at the Astros' website.
