Houston @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 13, 2019 ) NY Yankees 2, Houston 3

The New York Yankees failed in their opportunity to take a stranglehold of the American League Championship Series, but were able to gain home-field advantage as the Houston Astros with Gerrit Cole on the mound pay a visit for Game 3 on Tuesday afternoon. The Yankees rolled to a 7-0 victory in Game 1 before Carlos Correa’s walk-off homer in the 11th inning gave the Astros a 3-2 victory Sunday and evened the series as it moves to New York for the next three contests.

“Time to regroup and get ready for Tuesday,” Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, who belted a two-run homer Sunday, told reporters. “I always like our chances going home, especially for three. It’s time to roll. It’s the postseason. We’re going to get it done.” Brett Gardner had two of New York’s six hits Sunday while teammate Gleyber Torres is 9-for-22 in the playoffs with six extra-base hits and nine RBIs. Correa also had an RBI double in Game 2 for Houston and former MVP Jose Altuve has been the hottest hitter for the Astros in the postseason with 10 hits (three homers) in 27 at-bats with five RBIs. “We’re in the second round of what could be a seven-round fight,” Houston manager A.J. Hinch told reporters after the win. “Obviously, we know what’s at stake. The emotions are real out there. The intensity, our fans were incredible these two games. We’re going into a crazy environment at Yankee Stadium tied 1-1.”

TV: 4:08 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Gerrit Cole (2-0, 0.57 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Luis Severino (0-0, 0.00)

Cole was dominant in two starts during the AL Division Series against Tampa Bay, allowing one run on six hits and three walks with 25 strikeouts across 15 2/3 innings. The 29-year-old UCLA product, who is 18-0 in 24 starts (postseason included) since May 22, led the majors with 326 strikeouts in the regular season and also finished with career bests in wins (20), ERA (2.50) and innings pitched (212 1/3). Giancarlo Stanton is 3-for-10 with two doubles and a homer versus Cole, who gave up three runs over seven innings in a no-decision against the Yankees on April 9.

Severino gave up four hits and two walks over four scoreless innings with four strikeouts in Game 3 of the ALDS in Minnesota after being limited to three outings in the regular season because of injuries. The 25-year-old Dominican Republic native permitted two runs on six hits and six walks over 12 innings in September after going 19-8 with a 3.39 ERA in 2018. Josh Reddick is 5-for-11 with three doubles against Severino, who was 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA over two starts against Houston in 2018.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Astros led the majors with a .274 batting average in the regular season, but are hitting .218 in the postseason.

2. Stanton, who had two hits including a homer in Game 1, was held out Sunday with a right quad strain and is considered day-to-day.

3. Houston OF-DH Yordan Alvarez is 0-for-7 in the series with five strikeouts, giving him 12 in seven postseason contests.

PREDICTION: Astros 3, Yankees 2