Oct 12, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres (25) hits an RBI double against the Houston Astros in the fourth inning in game one of the 2019 ALCS playoff baseball series at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Analysis

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

Kevin Hickeyby
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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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