CC Sabathia To Start Game 3 Against Houston As The ALCS Shifts To The Bronx

Like the American League Division Series against Cleveland New York was down 0-2 so they're in a familiar spot heading into game three of the American League Championship against Houston as the series shifts to Yankee Stadium where 37 year old veteran left-hander CC Sabathia will be on the mound for New York.

CC Sabathia showed plenty of flashes of the vintage version of himself against the Indians in the American League Division Series presented by Doosan, and the Yankees will be counting on the veteran lefty yet again when the AL Championship Series presented by Camping World shifts to Yankee Stadium for Game 3 tonight.  "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258555362/cc-sabathia-to-start-alcs-game-3-vs-astros/

The Yankees are in an 0-2 series hole following Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Astros in Game 2 of the ALCS. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258555362/cc-sabathia-to-start-alcs-game-3-vs-astros/

Sabathia came up huge in ALDS Game 5 in Cleveland, striking out nine batters over 4 1/3 innings and allowing two runs in the fifth before the bullpen finished the job to help New York advance and overcome an 0-2 deficit in the series. He posted a 3.72 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings in his two starts in the ALDS. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258555362/cc-sabathia-to-start-alcs-game-3-vs-astros/

"He's been that guy that we've kind of relied on," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "You know that the situation hasn't been too big for him. I look at what the other two guys have done, and they've pitched really well, too. To me, it's CC giving us a good five or six innings and us scoring a few more runs." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258555362/cc-sabathia-to-start-alcs-game-3-vs-astros/

As Girardi alluded to, the one knock on Sabathia this postseason is that he hasn't gone deeper than 5 1/3 innings, which means the bullpen could loom large for New York. But the Yankees have plenty of relief options, even after Tommy Kahnle and David Robertson were each used for two innings on Saturday. Kahnle threw 28 pitches and Robertson threw 19, and both will be available tonight, Girardi said. Yankees relievers have combined to record a 2.06 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 35 innings this postseason. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258555362/cc-sabathia-to-start-alcs-game-3-vs-astros/

"Our bullpen is unbelievable," Sabathia said. "Top to bottom, we have, I think, the best in the game. It just gives you confidence to go out and do whatever you can, leave it all out there, let those guys come in and clean up the mess." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258555362/cc-sabathia-to-start-alcs-game-3-vs-astros/

Since signing his seven-year, $161 million deal before the 2009 season, Sabathia has lived up to that contract for New York, especially in the postseason. He's made 16 postseason appearances, including 15 starts, and he's posted a 3.52 ERA with 91 strikeouts in 92 innings. He's 7-2, and the Yanks have won 11 of the 16 games in which he's pitched. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258555362/cc-sabathia-to-start-alcs-game-3-vs-astros/

Sabathia, 37, has been building a Hall of Fame case with his career 3.70 ERA, 237 wins and 2,846 strikeouts in 3,317 innings over 17 seasons in the Majors. He ranks third all-time among lefties in strikeouts behind only Hall of Famers Randy Johnson and Steve Carlton. "according tohttp://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258555362/cc-sabathia-to-start-alcs-game-3-vs-astros/

"I admire him," said Astros catcher Brian McCann, who played with the Yankees from 2014-16. "He's a guy that, he's one of the best pitchers of our generation. In my opinion, I think he's a Hall of Famer. He's a big-game pitcher. And when you're around him and you see him in the clubhouse, it's just impressive. His presence is enormous." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258555362/cc-sabathia-to-start-alcs-game-3-vs-astros/

Sabathia relied heavily on his slider last time out, throwing it 34 times, compared to 14 fastballs. The pitch generated seven swings and misses, and his cutter was also effective, throwing it 19 times and getting four whiffs. He learned the cutter from former Yankees lefty Andy Pettitte, who has enjoyed Sabathia's late-career resurgence. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258555362/cc-sabathia-to-start-alcs-game-3-vs-astros/

"I couldn't be more proud," Pettitte said. "CC is like a brother to me. We stay in close contact. Since I've retired, he's tried to develop the cutter and reinvent himself. He doesn't have the fastball that he used to have. He just used to blow guys away and stuff like that. "according tohttp://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258555362/cc-sabathia-to-start-alcs-game-3-vs-astros/

"To see him go what he's going through personally, physically, with his knees and stuff like that that he battled through, then the last few years struggling like he has, to persevere and fight through all of that and see him put it together and have some confidence now, and his body holding up where he can make the pitches and do what he wants, I couldn't be more happy for him." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258555362/cc-sabathia-to-start-alcs-game-3-vs-astros/

Batters still have a tough time squaring up that slider, as they hit .193 with a .273 slugging percentage against it during the regular season, according to Statcast™. He threw 706 sliders and gave up only three homers on the pitch. Opposing hitters had an average exit velocity of only 83.9 mph against his slider, which ranked as the best mark among starters during the regular season, per Statcast™. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258555362/cc-sabathia-to-start-alcs-game-3-vs-astros/

Sabathia has also had success against the Astros, as their current hitters have batted a combined .191/.270/.371 against him in 101 plate appearances. Josh Reddick is 2-for-19 against Sabathia and Carlos Beltran is 8-for-35. Jose Altuve is the only player with success against him, but he's just 2-for-6 with two singles. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258555362/cc-sabathia-to-start-alcs-game-3-vs-astros/

"That's the guy we want on the mound," Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge said. "In a big-time situation like this, that's who we want on the mound. Our guy's been through it all -- he's been through the tough playoff runs." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258555362/cc-sabathia-to-start-alcs-game-3-vs-astros/

As for New York and Houston's last game, Houston won in walk-off fashion in game two at Minute Maid Park.

Like the American League Division series when New York played Cleveland they were down 0-2. The start to this series in the American League Championship against Houston is starting out the same way as Houston won a walk-off Saturday.

A legendary pitching performance by Justin Verlander , a memorable swing from Carlos Correa and a mad-dash sprint from Jose Altuve have the Astros two wins away from reaching the Fall Classic. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258573356/astros-walk-off-take-2-0-alcs-lead-on-yankees/

Correa hit a game-winning double into the right-center-field gap off Aroldis Chapmanto score Altuve from first base and send the Astros to a 2-1 walk-off win over the Yankees in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series presented by Camping World on Saturday at Minute Maid Park. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258573356/astros-walk-off-take-2-0-alcs-lead-on-yankees/

When a guy like Verlander goes out there and throws nine innings and 124 pitches, you want to win that game for him," Correa said. "We took a lot of pride in that. We talked about it in the ninth inning when there was one out. I looked at Altuve and said, 'Hey, we've got to make this happen for him.' And we did. It was huge." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258573356/astros-walk-off-take-2-0-alcs-lead-on-yankees/

With Altuve at first base after a one-out single in the ninth, Correa lashed a 99.3-mph Chapman fastball into right-center field, where it was tracked down by right fielder Aaron Judge Shortstop Didi Gregoriuscut the ball off behind second base and fired to the plate, where catcher Gary Sanchezcould not handle the short hop as Altuve slid home safely. "according tohttp://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258573356/astros-walk-off-take-2-0-alcs-lead-on-yankees/

Altuve went from first to home in 10.27 seconds, his fastest such time this season and fastest since 2015. It was a feat all the more impressive given that his secondary lead was a modest 10.7 feet. As proof of how fast Altuve was movingconsider this: His sprint speed on the play was 29.5 feet per second, well ahead of his 2017 "max effort" average of 28.0 feet per second and the MLB average of 27 feet per second. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258573356/astros-walk-off-take-2-0-alcs-lead-on-yankees/

It was certainly an agressive send by third base coach Gary Pettiasbut with a strikeout pitcher such as Chapman on the mound, it was understandable. According to statcastAltuve was 56 feet from home plate when Gregorius received the relay throw, and 25 feet away when it hit Sanchez's glove. Had Altuve stayed at third, Houston's win exspectancy would have stood at 83.8 percent, and had he been out, it would have dropped to 60.8. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258573356/astros-walk-off-take-2-0-alcs-lead-on-yankees/

"Bottom line is, if I catch that ball, he's going to be out," Sanchez said through an interpreter. "I dropped the ball. It was a small bounce, but that's a play that I know I can make." "according tohttp://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258573356/astros-walk-off-take-2-0-alcs-lead-on-yankees/

Verlander delivered one of the best pitching performances in Astros postseason history. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258573356/astros-walk-off-take-2-0-alcs-lead-on-yankees/

allowing one run while striking out 13 batters in nine innings, including striking out the side in the eighth. He threw 124 pitches -- 93 strikes -- and extended his playoff record of double-digit strikeout games to seven. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258573356/astros-walk-off-take-2-0-alcs-lead-on-yankees/

"This is such a big moment for our team, but he put us on his back today with his pitching," Houston manager A.J. Hinch said. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258573356/astros-walk-off-take-2-0-alcs-lead-on-yankees/

Verlander is the first Astros pitcher to complete nine innings in a postseason start since Nolan Ryan in Game 5 of the 1986 National League Championship Series. His 13 strikeouts mark the 20th time a pitcher has fanned at least 13 in one playoff game. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258573356/astros-walk-off-take-2-0-alcs-lead-on-yankees/

"It's definitely up there, if not at the top," Verlander said when asked where Saturday's performance ranked among his best games. "With everything that is going on -- not just on the personal level, but for the team, being in the Championship Series and being a 1-1 game the whole way -- and being able to go nine ... and, man, just everything. It's definitely one of the most satisfying starts I've had in my career." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258573356/astros-walk-off-take-2-0-alcs-lead-on-yankees/

limited the Astros to a Correa homer, but he was lifted after four innings when the Yankees were concerned by what they believed was the right-hander attempting to loosen his pitching shoulder. Severino insisted that he felt no discomfort, and he lobbied to remain in the game. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258573356/astros-walk-off-take-2-0-alcs-lead-on-yankees/

"I didn't agree with that," Severino said. "I wanted to go over there and pitch. I was feeling good. Even though I didn't strike out anybody, I was feeling good. I was getting outs." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258573356/astros-walk-off-take-2-0-alcs-lead-on-yankees/

Verlander struck out the first two batters he faced in the fifth before back-to-back doubles by Aaron Hicksand Todd Frazier tied the game. Frazier's ball got wedged on the fly between the chain-link fence and the padding in front of the visiting bullpen, and he was awarded a ground-rule double. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258573356/astros-walk-off-take-2-0-alcs-lead-on-yankees/

"2-1 again," Frazier said of the second straight game with that score. "We've got to hit, bottom line. One run is not going to do it. The pitching has been great on both sides, but we know what we're capable of." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258573356/astros-walk-off-take-2-0-alcs-lead-on-yankees/

Houston leads the best-of-seven series, 2-0, heading into Monday night's Game 3 at Yankee Stadium. Teams with a 2-0 lead in best-of-seven LCS (since 1985) have won the series 25 of 28 times, though all three of those comebacks were accomplished by teams that lost Games 1 and 2 on the road, like these Yankees. The last team to lose the first two games on the road to come back and win a seven-game series (LCS or World Series) was the 2004 Red Sox, who famously came back from a 3-0 deficit against the Yanks. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258573356/astros-walk-off-take-2-0-alcs-lead-on-yankees/

"They're going to be loud," Astros catcher Brian McCann a former Yankee, said of the fans in the Bronx. "We took care of business at home, and now we need to go on the road and continue to play good baseball. The Yankees are a team that has been here before, so we need to continue to play good baseball and show up and expect to win." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258573356/astros-walk-off-take-2-0-alcs-lead-on-yankees/

Houston right fielder Josh Reddick took a potential extra-base hit away from Chase Headleyin the third inning, leaping against the wall to reel in the designated hitter's liner. It appeared that Headley's ball would have struck the top of the fence and remained in play had Reddick not reached it. The Yanks are still seeking their first hit by a DH this postseason. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258573356/astros-walk-off-take-2-0-alcs-lead-on-yankees/

"We're playing him in the gap, as well as [Brett] Gardner," Reddick said. "We were covering the gap right there, so it made it a lot easier for me to get my route to catch the ball at the wall." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258573356/astros-walk-off-take-2-0-alcs-lead-on-yankees/

Correa put the Astros on the board in the fourth inning with his third homer of the postseason, lining a 99-mph Severino fastball over the wall in right field. The ball hit off the glove off a young Astros fan at the top of the wall, prompting crew chief Gary Cederstrom to initiate a replay review. The call was confirmed, meaning the fan touched the ball after it had cleared the yellow line. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258573356/astros-walk-off-take-2-0-alcs-lead-on-yankees/

"It happened so fast," Judge said. "I just didn't get back there in time to get a good feel for the wall and make a good play on it." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258573356/astros-walk-off-take-2-0-alcs-lead-on-yankees/

Frazier raced around the bases in the fifth inning, not taking any chances after his deep drive to left-center field off Verlander got stuck between the chain-link fence and the padding in front of the visiting bullpen. The play chased home Hicks, but Frazier was sent back to second base. Verlander recovered to get Headley to line out, ending the inning. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258573356/astros-walk-off-take-2-0-alcs-lead-on-yankees/

"The one time I didn't pop up, I had a surgery and I was out for eight months, so every single time I slide, I pop up, because I don't want to have another surgery on my ankle." -- Correa, on his pop-up slide at second base in front of Gregorius on the final play of the game. At Class A Lancaster in 2014, Correa fractured his fibula just above his right ankle sliding into third base. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258573356/astros-walk-off-take-2-0-alcs-lead-on-yankees/

Dallas Keuchel 10 strikeouts in Game 1) and Verlander combined for 23 strikeouts in the first two ALCS games, setting the record for back-to-back strikeout performances by starting pitchers in Houston's playoff history -- four more than the combined total of Mike Scott and Ryan in Games 1 and 2 of the 1986 NLCS. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258573356/astros-walk-off-take-2-0-alcs-lead-on-yankees/

The Astros successfully challenged a call at third base in the top of the third inning, as Gardner ripped a two-out drive down the right-field line and raced to third base on what was initially ruled a triple. After review, it was determined that third baseman Alex Bregman got the tag down before Gardner reached the base, and the call on the field was overturned. "according thttp://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258573356/astros-walk-off-take-2-0-alcs-lead-on-yankees/o

Right -hander Charlie Morton who has a record of 14-7 with a 3.62 earn run average will get the start for Houston. Morton gets the nod for Game 3. He held the Red Sox to two runs on seven hits over 4 1/3 innings while striking out six and walking two. His 3.62 ERA was the lowest since 2013. He will oppose New York left-hander CC Sabathia who has a record of 14-5 with a 3.69 earn run average. Sabathia's slider helped him out pitch Corey Kluber twice in the ALDS. The left-hander has gone 9-5 in 20 postseason starts , including 7-2 as a Yankee , with a career 4.46 ERA in October. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/astros-vs-yankees/2017/10/16/526499#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526499

Will CC Sabathia have a good start and put his team in position for the win? Will Houston be able to get their offense going against him? Will New York be able to get their offense going against Charlie Morton and cut into the series deficit? 

First pitch is set for 8:00pm. The game will be televised on Fox Sports 1. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/astros-vs-yankees/2017/10/16/526499#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526499