The New York Yankees wrapped up their AL Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday, overcoming a 2-1 series deficit. The two clubs played their winner-take-all Game 5 a day later than scheduled due to a rainout on Monday night.
[Ads /]
The Astros and Yankees will face each other for the third time in the ALCS in the last six seasons. The previous two Houston-New York series resulted in the 'Stros advancing to the World Series.
In 2022, the Yankees, who are managed by Aaron Boone, appeared to lay claim to the AL's top seed to start the regular season, with Houston not too far behind.
But it was a combination of a dominant Houston team and a weakening New York club that reversed the pecking order. The 'Stros, who won 106 games, ran away with the top seed down the stretch.
Additionally, Houston's seven regular season contests with the Bronx Bombers were must-see and, for at least one of those games, historic.
Who can forget Houston's combined no-hitter thrown at Yankee Stadium on June 25?
Or their one-day, two-game series at Minute Maid Park back in July?
SEE MORE: Astros-Yankees doubleheader: Workers posed with rare challenge to clear MMP in just a small window
All told, though, Houston had New York's number as far as wins and losses. The Astros won five of the seven meetings this year.
Justin Verlander is Houston's probable Game 1 starter.
Playing the waiting game...and some football
The Astros, Yankees and Guardians were basically in a holding pattern when ALDS Game 5 was rain delayed in the Bronx.
A 2-and-a-half-hour delay gave way to Monday Night Football, of sorts, when former Astro and current Guardian Myles Straw tossed the pigskin with fans.
[Ads /]
The game was scheduled to start at 7:07 p.m., and the postponement was announced at 9:38 p.m.
"Once it became clear that it was going to be well after 10 o'clock when the game was going to start, I think we felt like it was a no-brainer," said Chris Marinak, MLB's chief operations and strategy officer.
Instead, the Yankees and Guardians competed Tuesday afternoon.
The Yanks have a short turnaround, traveling to Houston to face the Astros in the ALCS starting Wednesday at 6:37 p.m. CDT.
The ALCS is a best-of-seven series, and the Astros would play four of those games at Minute Maid Park should it go the distance.
That's a result of their better regular season record than New York.
ALCS tickets are still available.
2022 AL Championship Series: Astros have homefield advantage
- Game 1: at Houston, Wednesday, 6:37 p.m.
- Game 2: at Houston, Thursday, 6:37 p.m.
- Game 3: at New York Yankees, Saturday, 4:07 p.m.
- Game 4: at New York Yankees, Sunday, Oct. 23, 6:07 p.m.
- Game 5*: at New York Yankees, Monday, Oct. 24, 3:07 p.m. or 4:07 p.m.
- Game 6*: at Houston, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 5:07 p.m. or 6:37 p.m.
- Game 7*: at Houston, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 6:37 p.m.
All times listed are CDT. Games 5-7 are if necessary*.
If the NL Championship Series is over after Oct. 23rd, then ALCS Game 5 will move to 4:07 PM CDT. If the NLCS is over after Oct. 24th, then ALCS Game 6 will move to 6:37 PM CDT.
[Ads /]
Who's throwing first pitch? Who's singing the National Anthem? Is the roof open?
The Astros typically tap into familiar folks when it comes to their pregame ceremonies during big-time matchups, and Game 1 won't be an exception.
Here's what we've learned about the people of Games 1 and 2:
ALCS Game 1
- Roof: Closed
- Giveaway: Rally Towel, provided by Houston Methodist, for all fans
- Street Fest: Opens at 3:30 p.m. to all fans with a game ticket
- National Anthem: Jack Ingram, country singer from Houston
- Colors presented by: Joint Forces Color Guard
- Ceremonial first pitch: Roger Clemens, former Astro and seven-time Cy Young Award-winning pitcher
- 'Play Ball' call: Josh Reddick, former Astro
ALCS Game 2
- Roof: To be announced at later time
- Giveaway: Rally Towel, provided by H-E-B, for all fans
- Street Fest: Opens at 3:30 p.m. to all fans with a game ticket
- National Anthem: Belinda Munro, singer-songwriter
- Colors presented by: Houston Fire Department Color guard
- Ceremonial first pitch: Roy Oswalt, Astros Hall of Fame pitcher
- 'Play Ball' call: Jonathan Daviss, 'Outer Banks' star from Conroe
Fans are encouraged to wear orange.
Additionally the Astros Team Store at Union Station has extended its hours for the postseason: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on non-gamedays, and 9 a.m. until four hours before that day's first pitch time on gamedays.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
RELATED: 'Stros will see you at the Juice Box Wednesday for Game 1 of ALCS