Analysis

Yankees beat Astros, 7-0, in ALCS Game 1: Instant Analysis

Taking a look at the New York Yankees’ massive 7-0 victory over the Houston Astros in ALCS Game 1 at Minute Maid Park.

The New York Yankees defeated the Houston Astros, 7-0, on Saturday night at Minute Maid Park in Game 1 of the ALCS.

The game was over when…

…Gleyber Torres busted the game open with a two-out, two-RBI single in the seventh inning to extend the Yankees lead to 5-0.

Game Balls

  • Gleyber Torres: G-baby continues to come through in the clutch. He got the Yankees on the board with an RBI double in the fourth inning and added a solo home run in the sixth. He drove in five RBIs.
  • Masahiro Tanaka: Playoff Tanaka was alive and thriving. He went 6.0 IP allowing one hit, no runs and one walk while striking out four on 68 pitches.
  • Giancarlo Stanton: The left fielder added his first postseason home run with a bomb to right-center and had good at bats all night.

Key Stats

  • 97.6: The Yankees averaged a 97.6 mph exit velocity against Zack Greinke’s fastball.
  • 5: Torres paced the Yankees offense with five RBIs.

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Quick Hits

  • Tanaka didn’t allow the leadoff hitter to reach base through the first four innings.
  • Tanaka also faced the minimum through six innings.
  • Tanaka leaned heavily on his offspeed pitches. He threw 27 sliders and 21 splitters, which account for 71.5% percent of his pitches.
  • Tanaka’s career postseason ERA is now down to 1.32.
  • DJ LeMahieu made three strong picks on throws playing first base.
  • Aaron Judge, Gio Urshela, Torres, Stanton and LeMahieu all collected multi-hit nights.
  • Urshela added a solo home run in the top of the ninth inning.
  • Edwin Encarnacion went hitless and struck out three times from the four-hole.
  • The Yankees pitching staff held Alex Bregman and Jose Altuve hitless in five combined at bats.

Play of the Game: Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge snagged a line drive taking him toward center field. He quickly planted and threw across his body to first base for a ridiculous double play.

Up Next: The Yankees are at Minute Maid Park again Sunday night against the Astros for Game 2 of the ALCS at 8:08 p.m. ET.

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