Luis Severino Gets The Start For New York In Game 6 As The ALCS Goes Back To Houston

No one probably predicted that New York was going to make it this far but here they're as the series heads back to Houston for game six where 23 year old Luis Severino will get the start for New York against Houston's Justin Verlander.

The American League Championship Series has a new leader as it shifts sites for Game 6. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/20/526502#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526502

After claiming all three games on their home turf to remain unbeaten in the Bronx this postseason, the Yankees now hold a 3-2 advantage over the Astros in this best-of-seven ALCS presented by Camping World. Momentum is theirs, but Houston hopes to take it right back at Minute Maid Park when play resumes at 8 p.m. ET/7 CT on Friday on FS1. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/20/526502#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526502

Like the Yankees, the Astros are undefeated at home this postseason."according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/20/526502#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526502

"You see, we won the first two, they won the next three, so we want to go home and keep that trend going," Houston catcher Brian McCann said. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/20/526502#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526502

Facing elimination in a pivotal Game 6 after jumping out to a 2-0 series lead that was erased by offensive struggles, the Astros will need to get their bats going behind Justin Verlander. The veteran right-hander, who pitched a complete-game gem in Game 2, is set to square off against Yanks right-hander Luis Severino. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/20/526502#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526502

Verlander put on a clinic against the Yankees on Saturday, striking out 13 and allowing only one run on five hits to lower his career postseason ERA to 3.18. Upon completion of the 124-pitch performance, his teammates put together a theatrical ninth inning that culminated in a walk-off win. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/20/526502#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526502

Verlander was acquired for moments like Game 6, agreeing to a trade to Houston in the final moments before the Aug. 31 waiver deadline. Four times in his storied 13-year career, he's pitched in an elimination game. Verlander has won each of the past three. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/20/526502#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526502

"It's big to have a guy like that," Astros outfielder George Springer said. "It's a confidence builder, for sure. He isn't an easy guy to face. He seems to live for the big moment. He competes. He's a bulldog out there. He wants to get you out." "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/20/526502#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526502

Verlander's flame-throwing counterpart had to leave Game 2 after just four innings of one-run ball after he was hit on the left wrist by a comebacker. But Severino, who was thought to be experiencing shoulder discomfort, is feeling healthy and is hungry for a win. He threw a bullpen session on Wednesday without any issues. "according tohttps://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/20/526502#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526502

Severino's Yanks are in a favorable position. Since the LCS expanded to a best-of-seven format in 1985, teams that have broken a 2-2 tie to go up 3-2 have won the series 13 of 16 times to move on to the Fall Classic. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/20/526502#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526502

Should they do so, the Yankees would be just the fifth team to win four consecutive games in a best-of-seven postseason series after falling into a 2-0 hole. The franchise already has accomplished the feat twice, with the 1978 and '96 Yanks joining the '81 Dodgers and '85 Cardinals on a short list. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/20/526502#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526502

"We don't want to get ahead of ourselves," Yankees slugger Aaron Judge said. "We've still got a job to do in Houston. We're going to keep taking it one pitch at a time, and we'll be where we want to be at the end." "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/20/526502#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526502

Judge and fellow Baby Bomber Gary Sanchez came to life at home, teaming up to go 9-for-21 with eight RBIs. Collectively, the Astros had 11 hits in those three games. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/20/526502#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526502

Hoping to shake off their dry spell with help from Thursday's off-day, the Astros have reason for hope. In all best-of-seven series since 1985, including both the LCS and World Series, teams trailing 3-2 but playing the final two games at home have come back to win the series 13 of 27 times, including eight of 17 times after dropping Game 5 to go down 3-2. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/20/526502#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526502

"The message to this team is going to be, keep fighting the fight," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "This series isn't over. We're going to get back to Houston and get to an off-day with our families and come back ready to play." "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/20/526502#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526502

As for New York and Houston's last game New York took the series lead behind a shut out from Japanese right -hander Masahiro Tanaka on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium.

Masahiro Tanaka was nothing short of fantastic in the rematch against Dallas Keuchel in the Bronx for Joe Girardi as he pitched a shutout against Houston and beat Dallas Keuchel in the American League Championship Series after ending up on the short end with a loss in Game 1 of this series against Dallas Keuchel.

The Yankees recognized that they would have to find a way to defeat Dallas Keuchel or Justin Verlander in order to advance, and they attacked that challenge head on. Having toppled one of the Astros' aces to move within one win of the 41st World Series in franchise history, they will now focus their attention on the other. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258972166/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-take-3-2-alcs-lead/

The Bombers' new core of Greg Bird, Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and Didi Gregorius all contributed run-scoring hits to back Masahiro Tanaka's dominant effort as the Yankees remained unbeaten at home this postseason, defeating the Astros, 5-0, in Wednesday's Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258972166/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-take-3-2-alcs-lead/

"We have a great group of guys. We're always positive," Sanchez said through an interpreter. "As you know, it's a long season and there's up and downs. The important thing is that we always stayed positive, and now we have one more game to get to the World Series. We'll focus on that." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258972166/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-take-3-2-alcs-lead/

Keuchel had mastered the Yankees in their previous two playoff meetings, including a shutdown performance on this same mound in the 2015 AL Wild Card Game. In front of a frenzied crowd of 49,647, the Yanks turned the tables. Bird's second-inning RBI single represented the first run they had scored off Keuchel in 14 2/3 postseason innings. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258972166/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-take-3-2-alcs-lead/

"Getting on a great pitcher like that early is key," Bird said. "You try and take advantage of those situations. It puts pressure on him early. It doesn't let him settle in. That's big." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258972166/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-take-3-2-alcs-lead/

The Astros, who are hitting just .147 as a team in the ALCS, must win two games at Minute Maid Park, beginning with Game 6 on Friday, to avoid elimination. The Yankees have outscored them, 21-9, in the ALCS presented by Camping World. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258972166/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-take-3-2-alcs-lead/

"I think we're all shocked," said outfielder Josh Reddick, who's 0-for-17 in the series. "It's something we haven't gone through in a long period of time, and definitely for a stretch like we have right now. It can definitely build a lot of frustration in you, but we can't let the frustration overtake what we need to do to get the job done. We've got to take full advantage of tomorrow's off-day. We've got to win." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258972166/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-take-3-2-alcs-lead/

Said Astros manager A.J. Hinch: "This series isn't over. This game is. We're going to get back to Houston and get to an off-day with our families and come back ready to play." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258972166/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-take-3-2-alcs-lead/

After Bird broke through, Judge ripped a third-inning double down the left-field line -- the first ground-ball extra-base hit of Judge's career -- chasing Brett Gardner all the way home from first base. Sanchez and Gregorius knocked back-to-back RBI singles in the fifth, sending Keuchel on his long walk back to the dugout. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258972166/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-take-3-2-alcs-lead/

"This was a big game for us," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "Every game is a big game, and you're just trying to win one game. But as we've seen, runs have been tough for us to score off of Keuchel. And for us to get four, I give our guys a lot of credit, because he's really tough." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258972166/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-take-3-2-alcs-lead/

Tanaka has been terrific at home of late, improving to 7-1 in his past eight starts at Yankee Stadium, and the right-hander again rose to the occasion. Leaning heavily on his slider, Tanaka generated 10 outs on the ground and eight via strikeout, limiting Houston to three hits and one walk over seven scoreless innings. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258972166/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-take-3-2-alcs-lead/

"I'm really glad how everything turned out, but I can't forget that it's not over yet," Tanaka said through an interpreter. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258972166/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-take-3-2-alcs-lead/

Despite that sterling line, the Astros had their chances, but Tanaka repeatedly pitched out of trouble as Houston moved runners into scoring position against the righty in three innings. New York played the infield in early, saving a run in the second inning, and Tanaka dug deep for two strikeouts that ended the fifth. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258972166/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-take-3-2-alcs-lead/

"They played well, man," outfielder George Springer said. "This is a tough place to play and they feed off that energy. Ideally, it would have been great to come out of here with a win or two, but that's not the case. We'll see what happens." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258972166/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-take-3-2-alcs-lead/

Sanchez extended the Yankees' lead with a seventh-inning homer off Brad Peacock, the slugger's third of the postseason. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258972166/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-take-3-2-alcs-lead/

As the ALCS shifts back to Houston's Minute Maid Park for Game 6 on Friday, the Yanks will have two chances to advance to their first World Series since 2009. Teams that have won Game 5 in a tied best-of-seven series have gone on to win that series 41 times in 58 chances (70.7 percent). "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258972166/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-take-3-2-alcs-lead/

"We're not going to think about that yet. We don't want to get ahead of ourselves," Judge said. "We've still got a job to do in Houston." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258972166/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-take-3-2-alcs-lead/

Keuchel looked sharp out of the gate, retiring the first five batters he faced, including three by strikeout. It was early, but the lefty appeared to be headed for another big game against the Yanks. Starlin Castro got New York going with a two-out double in the second, and when Bird followed with an RBI single, the Bombers were off and running against their nemesis. Castro's laser had an 111.4-mph exit velocity, according to Statcast™. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258972166/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-take-3-2-alcs-lead/

"Any time you're able to score off a starter early, especially someone you haven't scored off at all, I think it does feel bigger," Girardi said. "Yes, we can break through. And you get two hits in a row, a double by Castro and then a big hit by Bird. The next big hit came from Judge, and we just kept putting them up." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258972166/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-take-3-2-alcs-lead/

he Astros had a rally brewing in the fifth inning against Tanaka, as Marwin Gonzalez knocked a one-out single and advanced on a wild pitch before Tanaka walked No. 9 hitter Brian McCann. The righty recovered to freeze Springer on a called third strike and then got Reddick to wave at a splitter in the dirt to end the inning. Houston was 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position in the game, and is 4-for-27 with runners in scoring position in the series. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258972166/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-take-3-2-alcs-lead/

"It's the postseason," third baseman Alex Bregman said. "Everybody knows that. We're facing the best arms in the game and hitting some balls at people, but it's going to take one swing for a lot of people in this lineup. One swing and we'll be right back where we need to be." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258972166/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-take-3-2-alcs-lead/

"It's been unbelievable. I haven't seen anything like it in Major League Baseball since I've been here. It reminds me of college football games. They're going crazy the entire game. It's a huge advantage for us, and it makes the environment tremendous to play in." -- Chase Headley, on Yankee Stadium during the postseason "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258972166/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-take-3-2-alcs-lead/

The Yankees are trying to become the 14th team in history to rally from an 0-2 deficit in a seven-game postseason series. Of the 13 teams that came all the way back, four of those teams -- the 1985 Cardinals in the NLCS and the '78 Yankees, '81 Dodgers and '96 Yankees in the World Series -- won four straight to finish their comeback in six games. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258972166/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-take-3-2-alcs-lead/

With the win New York takes a 3-2 series lead in the American League Championship Series.

Right -hander Luis Severino will get the start in game six. He has a record of 14-6 with a 2.98 earn run average. Severino says he's healthy after being removed from Game 2 for precautionary reasons, and he tossed a bullpen session Wednesday without issue. Prior to his early exit , he allowed one run and two hits in four innings vs. Houston. He will oppose Houston right-hander Justin Verlander who has a record of 15-8 with a 3.36 earn run average. Verlander will start Game 6 against the Yankees in Houston. The veteran right -hander tossed a complete game -gem in Game 2, holding New York to just one run on five hits while striking out 13 batters. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/20/526502#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526502

First pitch is set for 8:00pm. The game will be televised on Fox Sports 1. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/20/526502#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526502