Sonny Gray To Start Game 4 Of The ALCS As New York Looks To Even The Series With Houston

Sonny Gray who was traded from Oakland to New York at the July 31st deadline will make the start in game four of the American League Championship against Houston at Yankee Stadium where New York hopes they can tie up the series.

While the Yankees are formulating the early chapters of a familiar script, after halving Houston's American League Championship Series lead Monday, the Astros are still eyeing their own storybook ending. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171016258758950/gray-opposes-mccullers-as-yanks-seek-alcs-split/?game_pk=526500

Houston remains in control of this best-of-seven ALCS presented by Camping World, two games to one, but the Yankees have a chance to draw even in Game 4 tonight (5 p.m. ET on FS1), after taking down the Astros in commanding fashion by an 8-1 margin in front of an electric home crowd and showcasing the kind of offensive output -- led by AL MVP Award candidate Aaron Judge -- that proved elusive against co-aces Dallas Keuchel and Justin Verlander at Minute Maid Park over the weekend. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171016258758950/gray-opposes-mccullers-as-yanks-seek-alcs-split/?game_pk=526500

New York's 51 home wins were the most in the AL this season, and the Yankees are 17-3 at Yankee Stadium since Sept. 2. Monday's victory promised the Yanks faithful at least two more home games this year. It will take one win to force a Game 6 in Houston on Friday. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171016258758950/gray-opposes-mccullers-as-yanks-seek-alcs-split/?game_pk=526500

"We know we're better than what we showed the first couple of games, but we faced some really good pitching and weren't able to get a whole lot going," Yankees veteran Brett Gardner said after Monday's game. "Hopefully we continue to play well at home and try our best to even up the series tomorrow." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171016258758950/gray-opposes-mccullers-as-yanks-seek-alcs-split/?game_pk=526500

Tonight's pivotal matchup in the Bronx will feature a pinstripe-clad Sonny Gray toeing the rubber opposite Astros right-hander Lance McCullers Jr., who was announced as Houston's starter by manager A.J. Hinch minutes after the conclusion of Monday's game. "according tohttp://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171016258758950/gray-opposes-mccullers-as-yanks-seek-alcs-split/?game_pk=526500

That means right-hander Brad Peacock, who was also in consideration to start, will be available out of the bullpen behind McCullers, who finished the regular season 7-4 with a 4.25 ERA -- including a 3.05 ERA through 16 starts in a stellar first half that earned him All-Star honors, compared to an 8.23 ERA across six starts during an injury-riddled second half. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171016258758950/gray-opposes-mccullers-as-yanks-seek-alcs-split/?game_pk=526500

McCullers has a 3.86 ERA in two postseason appearances. He made a 6 1/3-inning start against the Royals in the 2015 AL Division Series and pitched three innings of relief in Game 3 of the ALDS against the Red Sox last week, allowing two runs on three hits with four strikeouts and two walks. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171016258758950/gray-opposes-mccullers-as-yanks-seek-alcs-split/?game_pk=526500

"He's got really electrifying stuff, some of the best stuff in the big leagues," Hinch said. "I don't have to remind you guys, he was an All-Star to start the year." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171016258758950/gray-opposes-mccullers-as-yanks-seek-alcs-split/?game_pk=526500

Gray, no stranger to the Astros after starting his career in Oakland, departed the A's in July to join the Yanks at the non-waiver Trade Deadline. Their long-awaited rotation upgrade compiled a 3.72 ERA in 11 starts with New York to cap the regular season, before struggling in his postseason debut as a Yankee. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171016258758950/gray-opposes-mccullers-as-yanks-seek-alcs-split/?game_pk=526500

Drawing the nod in Game 1 of the ALDS presented by Doosan, Gray was around for only 3 1/3 innings, giving up three runs on three hits and four walks in a 4-0 loss to Cleveland. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171016258758950/gray-opposes-mccullers-as-yanks-seek-alcs-split/?game_pk=526500

The Bronx Bombers recovered against the heavily favored Indians, after dropping the first two games, to become the 10th team to overcome a 2-0 deficit to win a best-of-five playoff series. The Yankees also did it in 2001, rallying to unseat Oakland, and they expect to do the same in this prolonged best-of-seven format. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171016258758950/gray-opposes-mccullers-as-yanks-seek-alcs-split/?game_pk=526500

Since the LCS expanded to a best-of-seven arrangement in 1985, teams that have been ahead 2-1 have won it 38 out of 50 times. But recent history is more promising to the Yanks: Going back to 2012, when the Wild Card Game was introduced, the trailing team in those 2-1 situations has rallied to win the series five of 10 times. And just last year, the Cubs came back to win both the National League Championship Series and the World Series after trailing 2-1 in each. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171016258758950/gray-opposes-mccullers-as-yanks-seek-alcs-split/?game_pk=526500

"We don't want to be 0-2 every time we play in the postseason, but things are like that," Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius said. "We can't change it now, so we've got to focus on one game at a time and go from there." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171016258758950/gray-opposes-mccullers-as-yanks-seek-alcs-split/?game_pk=526500

The Astros' offense has largely been missing in this series. The same group that led the Majors in a slew of offensive categories during the regular season, including hits, managed just four of them Monday, and they've mustered. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171016258758950/gray-opposes-mccullers-as-yanks-seek-alcs-split/?game_pk=526500

"We've won two of them, so that's nothing to be upset about," Houston outfielder Josh Reddick said. "It's not the normal Astros offense we're used to producing five-plus, but our whole lineup's not hitting. We've got to come together as a team, maybe talk it out and work on things like we were doing in the Boston series. We have to come back out and get things out. Our lineup will be all right. We'll turn things around pretty quickly." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171016258758950/gray-opposes-mccullers-as-yanks-seek-alcs-split/?game_pk=526500

As for New York and Houston's last game, New York won game three with a stellar start by CC Sabathia.

There is no other pitcher Joe Girardi would want on the mound more than the veteran left-hander 37 year old CC Sabathia when you're down 2-0 in the American League Championship Series and CC Sabathia delivered in game three in the Bronx.

Each of the three October contests between the Astros and Yankees have featured loud chants of "M-V-P!" echoing throughout a sold-out venue. Jose Altuve's fantastic season has continued for Houston, but Monday night's plaudits were for Aaron Judge, as the Yanks' rookie right fielder enjoyed a postseason performance for the ages at Yankee Stadium. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258758340/aaron-judge-leads-yankees-to-game-3-alcs-win/

Judge crushed a three-run homer in the fourth inning and made several splendid defensive plays, including a fearless crash into the right-field wall in the top of the fourth, as he made his presence felt by powering the Yankees' surge in an 8-1 victory over the Astros in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series presented by Camping World. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258758340/aaron-judge-leads-yankees-to-game-3-alcs-win/

"I get a chance to play baseball every day," Judge said. "I get to live my dream, so you've got to take the ups with the downs. That's what I picked up and learned from my teammates. They've supported me through the good times and the bad times. I get a chance to play in the ALCS with the New York Yankees. It's a dream come true." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258758340/aaron-judge-leads-yankees-to-game-3-alcs-win/

Todd Frazier hit a three-run homer in the second inning for New York, his first career playoff long ball, as a raucous crowd of 49,373 watched the Yankees remain undefeated at home this postseason and slice the Astros' ALCS lead to 2-1. Teams down 2-1 in best-of-seven postseason series are 40-94, including 12-38 in the LCS, though they are 5-5 since 2012. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258758340/aaron-judge-leads-yankees-to-game-3-alcs-win/

"We've got three home games here, and we know we've got a good shot," Frazier said. "The hopes are still up there, and we showed tonight our offense is coming. We had two games where we didn't do much, but our offense is back, I think, and hopefully it will keep going tomorrow." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258758340/aaron-judge-leads-yankees-to-game-3-alcs-win/

Charlie Morton's pitch was 1.54 feet off the ground when Frazier made contact, and that is tied for the third-lowest pitch hit for a homer by a Yankee this season. The lowest was an offering 1.36 feet off the ground that Starlin Castro golfed for a homer off Orioles lefty Donnie Hart on Sept. 7.

Pitching with what he described as a "smoke and mirrors" approach, 37-year-old CC Sabathia continued his season-long trend of delivering clutch outings following a Yankees loss, limiting the Astros to three hits and four walks while striking out five over six scoreless innings. In 13 starts following a Yanks loss this season, Sabathia has gone 10-0 with a 1.69 ERA, including the playoffs."according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258758340/aaron-judge-leads-yankees-to-game-3-alcs-win/

"It feels good," Sabathia said. "Obviously you want to go out and have a good performance in the playoffs and give us a chance to get back in the series. Hopefully we did that tonight. We can come out tomorrow, swing the bats and score some more runs." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258758340/aaron-judge-leads-yankees-to-game-3-alcs-win/

Morton was tagged for seven runs on six hits and two walks in 3 2/3 innings. Will Harris relieved Morton and shook off catcher Evan Gattis twice before serving up a 2-2, 93.4-mph fastball that Judge blasted for his second homer of the postseason, capping a five-run fourth inning for New York. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258758340/aaron-judge-leads-yankees-to-game-3-alcs-win/

Gattis said he wanted another curveball or a fastball down and away, but Harris threw an elevated fastball. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258758340/aaron-judge-leads-yankees-to-game-3-alcs-win/

"It was my game," Harris said. "I threw the pitches I wanted to throw. That was the pitch I wanted to make. And he was ready for it. … I thought I had him set up for it, and I didn't. He was ready." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258758340/aaron-judge-leads-yankees-to-game-3-alcs-win/

Dellin Betances walked both men he faced in the ninth inning, and Tommy Kahnle issued a bases-loaded free pass to Alex Bregman that broke up the shutout, before getting Altuve to bounce up the middle into a game-ending double play. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258758340/aaron-judge-leads-yankees-to-game-3-alcs-win/

Through three games of the ALCS, the Astros have scored five runs and are hitting .169 with only three extra-base hits. They are 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258758340/aaron-judge-leads-yankees-to-game-3-alcs-win/

"We've won two of them, so that's nothing to be upset about," outfielder Josh Reddick said. "It's not the normal Astros offense; we're use to producing five-plus, but our whole lineup's not hitting. We're relying on Altuve and [Carlos] Correa a little too much in the first two games, and we've got to come together as a team, maybe talk it out and work on things like we were doing in the Boston series. We have to come back out and get things sorted out. Our lineup will be all right. We'll turn things around pretty quickly." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258758340/aaron-judge-leads-yankees-to-game-3-alcs-win/

he Yankees' five-run fourth inning was set up when Greg Bird's leadoff double fell just in front of Astros left fielder Cameron Maybin, who appeared to pull up just before the ball hit the ground. Bird was credited with a ground-rule double as the ball bounced into the seats. Morton came back with two consecutive outs before the next three batters reached in front of Judge, who mashed a three-run blast. Bird's double had a hit probability of just 4 percent, according to Statcast™. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258758340/aaron-judge-leads-yankees-to-game-3-alcs-win/

"I was thinking if I dove for it and missed it, it was probably going to be a triple," Maybin said. "But, of course, you don't know it's going to be bounce into the seats. But we talked about it. A play where you're down, I think you've just got to take a shot, and whatever happens, happens. But just a tough play. You've got to just give those guys credit. They did a good job of taking advantage." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258758340/aaron-judge-leads-yankees-to-game-3-alcs-win/

Sabathia set down eight of the first nine batters he faced before running into trouble the second time through the order with the Yankees holding a 3-0 lead. Walks to George Springer and Altuve and a single by Bregman loaded the bases with two outs in the third for cleanup hitter Correa. With a chance to give the Astros a lead with one swing, Correa popped out to shortstop to end the inning on the second pitch of the at-bat. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258758340/aaron-judge-leads-yankees-to-game-3-alcs-win/

"I was trying to make a pitch," Sabathia said. "He likes to get his hands extended. I was trying to get something in on him and made a good enough pitch where he popped it up to short." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258758340/aaron-judge-leads-yankees-to-game-3-alcs-win/

"I put my arm out and say, 'What time is it?' Just a little thing I do. I've been doing it forever, but I guess TV just finally caught onto it. … I'm saying, 'What time is it? It's my time.'" -- Frazier, who looked down at his wrist while rounding the bases for his first postseason homer "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258758340/aaron-judge-leads-yankees-to-game-3-alcs-win/

When Chase Headley reached on a run-scoring infield single in the fourth inning, it marked the first hit that the Yankees have had by a designated hitter this postseason, snapping an 0-for-29 skid. Before Monday, New York's last postseason hit by a DH belonged to Raul Ibanez, in Game 2 of the 2012 ALCS against the Tigers. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258758340/aaron-judge-leads-yankees-to-game-3-alcs-win/

Yankees manager Joe Girardi unsuccessfully challenged a call in the second inning, claiming Headley had been a hit by pitch. The replay official could not definitively determine whether the ball touched Headley or his uniform, so the call on the field would stand. Headley remained at bat, lining out to right field to end the inning. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258758340/aaron-judge-leads-yankees-to-game-3-alcs-win/

One inning later, Astros manager A.J. Hinch successfully challenged a call at first base, as the Yankees' Didi Gregorius was initially called safe on a ground ball to second baseman Altuve. First-base umpire Chris Guccione ruled that Marwin Gonzalez's foot came off the bag, but the call was overturned after review. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258758340/aaron-judge-leads-yankees-to-game-3-alcs-win/

With the win New York cuts the series lead 2-1. Houston and New York will play game four Tuesday evening at Yankee Stadium.

Right -hander Lance McCullers Jr who has a record of 7-4 with a 4.25 earn run average will get the start for Houston. McCullers who was an All-Star for the first time this season , has faced the Yankees twice this year and given up three runs over 11 1/3 innings with 13 strikeouts and two walks. He's been much more effective at home (3.04 ERA ) than on the road (5.14 ERA). He will oppose New York right -hander Sonny Gray who has a record of 10-12 with a 3.55 earn run average. Gray's command was off over his last two starts. - His regular season finale against Tampa Bay and his Game 1 vs. Cleveland - as it's been all season. The righty allowed three runs on four walks and three hits in his ALDS loss to the Tribe. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/astros-vs-yankees/2017/10/17/526500#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526500

What will it take for Sonny Gray to get back on track with his command after two bad starts? Will the Houston offense be able to get it going against Sonny Gray? In Sonny Gray's past starts this season for New York he has not received run support, Will the New York offense be able to back up his start in game four of the American League Championship?

First pitch is set for 5:00pm. The game will be televised on FS1. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/astros-vs-yankees/2017/10/17/526500#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526500