Luis Severino Gets The Start In Game 2 Of The ALCS As New York Looks To Even Things Up In Houston

Luis Severino who was New York's ace during the regular season will start game two in Houston as he takes on Justin Verlander as New York hopes to tie up the series before the series shifts to Yankee Stadium.

With all of the hype surrounding the powerful offenses of both the Yankees and Astros, Game 1 of the American League Championship Series presented by Camping World ended up being compelling for a different reason -- it was a pitchers' duel. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/14/526498#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526498

The Astros, who beat the Yankees, 2-1, in Game 1 on Friday night, will seek a 2-0 advantage in the ALCS, while New York will look to even things up in Game 2 at Minute Maid Park on Saturday (4 p.m. ET/3 CT on FOX). Both teams will attempt to generate more offense in Game 2 after recording just one extra-base hit, a ninth-inning solo homer from Yanks first baseman Greg Bird, in the opener. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/14/526498#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526498

Two hard-throwing right-handers, Luis Severino and Justin Verlander, are set to start following a well-pitched contest by Masahiro Tanaka and Dallas Keuchel in Game 1. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/14/526498#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526498

With the series heading to New York following Game 2, the Yankees knew going into the opener in Houston that a split would be adequate, considering they'll play three games in front of their home fans at Yankee Stadium starting Monday. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/14/526498#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526498

The Yankees would prefer not to go home with an 0-2 deficit in the best-of-seven series, but even if that is the case, the Yanks, who won three consecutive games against the Indians in the AL Division Series presented by Doosan, won't be panicking."according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/14/526498#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526498

"It's what we've been doing all year," Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge said. "We've got down in a series before, but we just have to keep playing our game. The mindset is still the same. Go out there and compete and have quality at-bats, and we'll be where we want to be and win the series.""according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/14/526498#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526498

One area the Yankees will be looking to improve is production from their designated hitters. So far, they're hitless in the postseason. Yanks manager Joe Girardi expects that to turn around. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/14/526498#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526498

"We have a number of quality hitters in our lineup, so there's a lot of teams that you might have a spot that struggles during the playoffs just because you run into such good pitching," he said. "You can't expect the numbers that you're going to see necessarily during the course of a season from a lot of guys, because you're seeing such good pitching. Bullpens are really good. But, yes, I believe we can." "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/14/526498#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526498

The track records of both Game 2 starting pitchers suggest this one could be another low-scoring affair. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/14/526498#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526498

Severino, 23, makes his third postseason start and first on the road. In Game 4 of the ALDS on Monday, he allowed three runs on four hits over seven innings against the Indians, walking one and striking out nine en route to the win. In his first postseason start, the AL Wild Card Game against the Twins on Oct. 3, Severino lasted just one-third of an inning after allowing three runs, including two homers. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/14/526498#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526498

Verlander is set for his 18th postseason start (19th appearance) and fifth against the Yankees -- his last coming in Game 3 of the 2012 ALCS with the Tigers, in a game during which he threw 8 1/3 innings of one-run ball. The 34-year-old right-hander was dominant in five regular-season starts after Detroit traded him to the Astros on Aug. 31, posting a 1.06 ERA with 43 strikeouts and five walks in 34 innings. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/14/526498#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526498

The Astros, who are 6-2 against the Yanks this season after winning five of seven regular-season contests, are now 4-1 in the postseason, including a 3-1 ALDS win over the Red Sox. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/14/526498#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526498

Houston has scored first in all five of its postseason games, including its one-run win over New York on Friday in Game 1 of the ALCS. The Astros will look for more of the same on Saturday. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/14/526498#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526498

"We're playing here in Houston, we've got the home-field advantage," second baseman Jose Altuve said. "You have to go out there and win the game. We have to go out there [Saturday] and try to win the game and keep the momentum going. I like the way we're playing, and we don't have to change anything, just go out there and keep doing it." "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/14/526498#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526498

As for New York and Houston's last game, Houston won the opener and leads the series 1-0. Like the opener will game two be another pitchers duel? Which offense will back up their starting pitcher? Will Greg Bird who scored on New York's lone opportunity homer again like he did in game one? Will Luis Severino pitch a great game to give his team a chance to even up the series? Will the Houston offense be able to get their offense going against Luis Severino? Will the New York offense be able to get it going against Justin Verlander who has been great since joining the Astros? 

First pitch is set for 4:00pm. The game will be televised on Fox. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/14/526498#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526498