Masahiro Tanaka, Dallas Keuchel Set For Game 5 Rematch In The ALCS In New York

Like game one in Houston Masahiro Tanaka will take the mound in a rematchagainst Dallas Keuchel in game five of the American League Championship Series   but this time though he will do it in the Bronx at Yankee Stadium where he has a better record.

Masahiro Tanaka has a record of 9-5 with a 3.22 earn run average at Yankee Stadium while his road record is 4-7 with a 6.48 earn run average.  "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/player/splits/_/id/33150/masahiro-tanaka

An unlikely comeback has been completed, with the Yankees' Game 4 dramatics giving them two consecutive wins over the Astros in this best-of-seven American League Championship Series to tie it at 2 and set the stage for a crucial Game 5 today at Yankee Stadium. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258886958/dallas-keuchel-masahiro-tanaka-meet-in-game-5/?topicId=27118390

Consider this a brand new series. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258886958/dallas-keuchel-masahiro-tanaka-meet-in-game-5/?topicId=27118390

"It doesn't surprise me," Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius said. "Guys are playing with a lot of heart here. I think it shows everybody we never give up. That's the way we played all year." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258886958/dallas-keuchel-masahiro-tanaka-meet-in-game-5/?topicId=27118390

Wednesday's critical matchup in the Bronx, featuring a rematch between Astros lefty Dallas Keuchel and Yankees righty Masahiro Tanaka carries with it a significant footnote: Teams that win Game 5 following a 2-2 split are 13-3 since the LCS expanded to seven games in 1985. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258886958/dallas-keuchel-masahiro-tanaka-meet-in-game-5/?topicId=27118390

The last team to go down 3-2 in the LCS and come back to win was the 2004 Cardinals. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258886958/dallas-keuchel-masahiro-tanaka-meet-in-game-5/?topicId=27118390

"I think today we got punched in the mouth, and we're going to show up ready to compete," Houston third baseman Alex Bregmansaid. "They put together a good comeback, and I think [Wednesday] is a brand new day. We're going to come to the field and go through our same routine we've gone through all year and get ready to go." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258886958/dallas-keuchel-masahiro-tanaka-meet-in-game-5/?topicId=27118390

The Astros arguably hold the advantage because of the man on the mound for Game 5. After hitting the reset button on its rotation, Houston has Keuchel back in action seeking further dominance against a Yankees club that has never been able to figure him out. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258886958/dallas-keuchel-masahiro-tanaka-meet-in-game-5/?topicId=27118390

The Astros are now 5-0 this postseason in games in which Keuchel and Justin Verlanderhave pitched (including a relief appearance by Verlander in Game 4 of the AL Division Series), and 0-3 when they don't appear. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258886958/dallas-keuchel-masahiro-tanaka-meet-in-game-5/?topicId=27118390

Keuchelhas bested Tanaka in each of their two postseason meetings, the most recent unfolding Friday in Game 1. The left-hander struck out 10 in seven scoreless innings, limiting the Yanks to four singles and one walk. Tanaka held his own, allowing two runs in six innings in a 2-1 Astros victory at Minute Maid Park. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258886958/dallas-keuchel-masahiro-tanaka-meet-in-game-5/?topicId=27118390

Keuchel on success against Yanks. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258886958/dallas-keuchel-masahiro-tanaka-meet-in-game-5/?topicId=27118390

Dallas Keuchel discusses his career success against the Yankees, and what it is like playing at Yankee Stadium. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258886958/dallas-keuchel-masahiro-tanaka-meet-in-game-5/?topicId=27118390

The duo also squared off in the 2015 AL Wild Card Game at Yankee Stadium, which featured six scoreless innings from Keuchel, to Tanaka's five-inning, two-run outing. In the past three seasons, Keuchel has a 0.72 ERA against New York. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258886958/dallas-keuchel-masahiro-tanaka-meet-in-game-5/?topicId=27118390

"We're not going to hit the panic button because we've lost two games in a row," Astros shortstop Carlos Correasaid. "We've got Keuchel going, so we're going to play behind him and hopefully come up with a win." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258886958/dallas-keuchel-masahiro-tanaka-meet-in-game-5/?topicId=27118390

Either way, both clubs are destined for a Game 6 on Friday in Houston, with Verlander looming. The postseason stalwart, who will be pitted against New York's Luis Severino,  delivered a monster 124-pitch, one-run, 13-strikeout complete game in Game 2 on Saturday. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258886958/dallas-keuchel-masahiro-tanaka-meet-in-game-5/?topicId=2711839

A potential Game 7 would be staged Saturday. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258886958/dallas-keuchel-masahiro-tanaka-meet-in-game-5/?topicId=27118390

"I thought about it: Oh, man, it's going to be a really uphill battle," Yankees third baseman Todd Fraziersaid of the task at hand. "But once that gets in your mind, you have to think positive after that. You hear the fans. It's unbelievable. All of a sudden, the pressure's back on the other team. It's the best place to play and the loudest place to play in baseball, no doubt about it." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258886958/dallas-keuchel-masahiro-tanaka-meet-in-game-5/?topicId=27118390

Taking care of business at home has been a strength of the Yanks. They're 56-30 in the Bronx, including 5-0 this postseason -- a narrative that has prevailed over the Astros' season-long road success. Houston played to a 53-28 road record during the regular season, tied with Cleveland for the best mark. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258886958/dallas-keuchel-masahiro-tanaka-meet-in-game-5/?topicId=27118390

The Yankees rallied for six unanswered runs in Game 4, sparked by the Baby Bombers. AL MVP Award candidate Aaron Judge homered in the seventh and drilled a game-tying double to the left-field wall in the eighth. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258886958/dallas-keuchel-masahiro-tanaka-meet-in-game-5/?topicId=27118390

"We have a very mature team, and we're going to overcome this and show up with the best attitude possible and go play the game," Astros second baseman Jose Altuvesaid."according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258886958/dallas-keuchel-masahiro-tanaka-meet-in-game-5/?topicId=27118390

As for Houston and New York's last game, New York rallied to even the series.

New York may have been down Tuesday night in the Bronx but they certainly weren't out in game four of the American League Championship Series against Houston.

There is no quit in these "Baby Bombers," and as their youthful exuberance fuels an incredible postseason run, they have summoned the excitement of Bronx Octobers past. The triple decks of Yankee Stadium are being transformed into a deafening, swaying party zone on a nightly basis. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258838600/yankees-even-alcs-with-late-rally-vs-astros/

Aaron Judge homered and delivered a game-tying hit, while Gary Sanchez crushed the go-ahead double in a decisive four-run eighth as the Yankees stunned the Astros with a 6-4 victory in Game 4 on Tuesday to even the American League Championship Series at two games apiece. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258838600/yankees-even-alcs-with-late-rally-vs-astros/

"That ballpark is alive. It was unbelievable," Judge said. "That stadium was rocking, the fans were going crazy. I didn't know what to do after I touched home plate. That's why we play this game, for a moment like that." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258838600/yankees-even-alcs-with-late-rally-vs-astros/

Nine outs away from having to face Dallas Keuchel with their season on the line, Judge sparked the Yankees' comeback from a four-run deficit with his third homer of the postseason, a solo drive to Monument Park that chased starter Lance McCullers Jr. The Yanks rallied for six unanswered runs, ensuring the ALCS presented by Camping World will be completed in Houston. In best-of-seven LCS, teams that win Game 5 to go ahead 3-2 have gone on to win 13 of 16 times. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258838600/yankees-even-alcs-with-late-rally-vs-astros/

"It was special again tonight," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "Every home game has been special. I just feel like the fans are back, and I see things that I haven't seen in a while. It reminds me a lot of when I was playing here, so it's been fun to watch." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258838600/yankees-even-alcs-with-late-rally-vs-astros/

The Yankees are aiming to become the fourth team in LCS history to rally from an 0-2 deficit in a best-of-seven series. The Astros, though, are sending Keuchel, who's dominated the Yanks in his career, to the mound in Game 5. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258838600/yankees-even-alcs-with-late-rally-vs-astros/

"I think today we got punched in the mouth and we're going to show up ready to compete tomorrow," third baseman Alex Bregman said. "They put together a good comeback and I think tomorrow is a brand-new day. We're going to get some sleep, come to the field, go through our same routine w That set up Judge to tie the game by digging out an 86.2-mph slider, denting the left-field wall for a run-scoring double. Sanchez gave the Yanks their first lead with a two-run double up the gap in right-center field. e've gone through all year and get ready to go." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258838600/yankees-even-alcs-with-late-rally-vs-astros/

In the seventh, Didi Gregorius greeted reliever Chris Devenski with a triple before scoring on a Sanchez sacrifice fly. Todd Frazier and Chase Headley opened the eighth with singles off Joe Musgrove, and Brett Gardner knocked home the Yankees' third run with a grounder to the right side against closer Ken Giles. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258838600/yankees-even-alcs-with-late-rally-vs-astros/

That set up Judge to tie the game by digging out an 86.2-mph slider, denting the left-field wall for a run-scoring double. Sanchez gave the Yanks their first lead with a two-run double up the gap in right-center field. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258838600/yankees-even-alcs-with-late-rally-vs-astros/

"The emotions are raw," Sanchez said through an interpreter. "You're standing on second base and can't even control them. It was a big hit there to help your team and go ahead there in the bottom of the eighth. The emotions are coming out and hard to contain." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258838600/yankees-even-alcs-with-late-rally-vs-astros/

Behind six dominant innings from McCullers and Yuli Gurriel's bases-clearing double, the Astros appeared poised to move one win from the second World Series appearance in franchise history. Instead, the Yankees remained undefeated at home this postseason, heading into a crucial Game 5 showdown. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258838600/yankees-even-alcs-with-late-rally-vs-astros/

"The series wasn't over after two games," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "It's certainly not over after four." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258838600/yankees-even-alcs-with-late-rally-vs-astros/

Yankees starter Sonny Gray matched McCullers before running into trouble in the sixth, charged with two runs (one earned) and one hit in five-plus frames. The Astros pushed their lead to four runs in the seventh when Starlin Castro committed his second error of the game, booting a Brian McCann grounder on the outfield grass. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258838600/yankees-even-alcs-with-late-rally-vs-astros/

"We're not going to hit the panic button because we've lost two games in a row," Astros shortstop Carlos Correa said. "We've got Keuchel going tomorrow so we're going to play behind him and hopefully come up with a win." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258838600/yankees-even-alcs-with-late-rally-vs-astros/

The Astros were 1-for-12 with the bases loaded in the playoffs prior to Gurriel's double. Houston loaded the bases with none out in the sixth without a base hit. Springer walked and Reddick reached on catcher's interference before Girardi lifted Gray in favor of David Robertson. Altuve drew a walk and Robertson struck out Correa swinging before Gurriel's big hit. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258838600/yankees-even-alcs-with-late-rally-vs-astros/

"I thought we had the game, but our bullpen had been pitching well and doing the job, so I thought those three runs were enough for us to get a win," Gurriel said. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258838600/yankees-even-alcs-with-late-rally-vs-astros/

The Astros' bullpen couldn't provide any relief in the eighth, when the Yanks sent 10 batters to the plate to score four runs and take a 6-4 lead. Brought into the game with runners at second and third and none out, Giles allowed both inherited runners to score and gave up two more runs on Sanchez's double. The breakdown by the Astros was reminiscent of Game 4 in the 2015 AL Division Series against the Royals, in which Kansas City scored five times in the eighth to wipe out a four-run deficit and win the game against Houston's bullpen. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258838600/yankees-even-alcs-with-late-rally-vs-astros/

"We just couldn't get the inning to end," Hinch said. "We were trying to match up and make pitches. They were putting really great at-bats together. Even their outs, they had productive outs. Nobody likes that term, but they got 90 feet whenever they needed to, whether it was the sac fly or Gardner's ground ball to second base." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258838600/yankees-even-alcs-with-late-rally-vs-astros/

"This is the loudest it's been. I said that earlier in the playoffs with that Wild Card Game and those two games against the Indians. It feels like the old Stadium. It makes a huge difference. It's intimidating to come here and play when the crowd is as big as it's been and has been." -- CC Sabathia, on Yankee Stadium "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258838600/yankees-even-alcs-with-late-rally-vs-astros/

The Astros were held to three hits -- all doubles -- in Game 4, marking the second time in their playoff history that they didn't get a single in a game (Game 2 of 1999 National League Division Series vs. Braves). "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258838600/yankees-even-alcs-with-late-rally-vs-astros/

Judge was called out to conclude a wild sequence in the fourth inning. With one out and Judge at first base, Sanchez lifted a shallow fly ball to right-center field that was caught by Josh Reddick, who threw to first base to double off Judge. The Yankees challenged the call at first base, and replay showed that Judge had beaten the ball back to the bag. However, Judge did not touch second base on his way back to first base. When play resumed and McCullers stepped off to appeal at second base, Judge broke for second and was caught stealing to end the inning. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258838600/yankees-even-alcs-with-late-rally-vs-astros/

"The coaching staff kind of gave me a heads-up, so I said, 'All right, let's go,'" Judge said. "You've got to try something." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258838600/yankees-even-alcs-with-late-rally-vs-astros/

Hinch unsuccessfully challenged a call at second base in the eighth, as Headley singled to push Frazier to third and subsequently slipped rounding first. Headley got up and avoided a rundown by scurrying to second, where he slid headfirst and narrowly beat a tag from Altuve. Replay confirmed the call, giving the Yanks runners on second and third with none out. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258838600/yankees-even-alcs-with-late-rally-vs-astros/

"We had an out," Hinch said. "Jose tries to get him, it goes to replay and we don't get the out. Looking back, I think that was a big play, because it set up a ton of pressure on us for the rest of the inning with guys all over the place." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258838600/yankees-even-alcs-with-late-rally-vs-astros/

With the win by New York they evened the series at 2-2.

The same matchup they had in game one will take place in game five as Dallas Keuchel who has a record of 14-5 with a 2.90 earn run average will get the start for Houston. Keuchel pitched seven shutout frames and struckout 10 batters in Game 1 in Houston. Keuchel was the winning pitcher in the 2015 AL Wild Card game at Yankee Stadium in 2015, with six shutout innings pitched. He will oppose New York right -hander Masahiro Tanaka who has a record of 13-12 with a 4.74 earn run average. Outside a tough -luck fourth inning Tanaka was excellent in a six -inning Game 1 effort against the Astros. The right -hander has allowed just two earned runs in his last three starts while striking out 25 in 20 innings. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/astros-vs-yankees/2017/10/18/526501#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526501

First pitch is set for 5:00pm. The game will be televised on FS1. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/astros-vs-yankees/2017/10/18/526501#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526501