Yankees must do it the hard way
THE New York Yankees will have to win one more elimination game to get to their first World Series since 2009.
This time, the Baby Bombers will play a Game 7 after missing a chance to close out the AL Championship Series against the Houston Astros.
“I guess it just didn’t feel right,” Yankees third baseman Todd Frazier said.
“We’ve got to play with our backs against the wall again and see what happens.”
Luis Severino had another abbreviated start in Houston and Aaron Judge struck out two more times to match a major league record for strike- outs in a post-season before a towering home run in the Yankees’ 7-1 loss in Game 6 yesterday. New York will have veteran left-hander CC Sabathia on the mound for Game 7 this morning.
Sabathia, reliever David Robertson and left fielder Brett Gardner are the only holdovers from the Yankees’ last World Series team eight years ago – in Joe Girardi’s second season as their manager.
Sabathia is 10-0 in starts following a Yankees’ loss this year, including Game 3 of the ALCS.
“You never take these opportunities for advantage – that’s why it’s special to pitch and play in October,” said Sabathia, who got a no decision after starting a winnertake-all Division Series clincher in Cleveland.
“It will feel good to get out there tomorrow and have an opportunity to try to pitch this team to the World Series.”
With a series lead for the first time this postseason after winning all three ALCS games in the Bronx, the Yankees were again stifled by Justin Verlander – just like in Game 2. The big right-hander didn’t go the distance, but he did get his ninth win in nine appearances since being acquired by Houston.