AL Wild Card Game-Preview - Fueled by Sports
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AL Wild Card Game-Preview

It’s that time of the year again. The leaves are starting to turn colors and the air is starting to get cooler. And, if you are a fan of the MLB, it couldn’t have arrived any sooner. It’s been a long, grueling season that seemed to try even the best of teams. Not to mention, that long month of September and the push of every team to make it this far. Now, as the playoffs approach, only 10 teams remain in the running for the infamous World Series.

Tonight, 2 of those teams face off in a single game to earn their spot in their Division’s playoff series. The Houston Astros and the New York Yankees throw the first pitch at 8 pm ET in what will be a historic match up, as it is the first time for either team to be in the one-game playoff.

The Astros, not having been in the postseason for the last 10 years, will step on the field with their possible Rookie of the year winner, Carlos Correa. Playing in his first ever postseason game, Correa is an unbelievably phenomenal shortstop, at just 21 years old.  Joe Girardi, manager of the Yankees, said that Correa should still be in college, instead of being a possible Rookie of the Year winner.

Moving up to the big leagues in June, after being the number 1 draft pick in 2012, Correa had helped to lead the Astros to an unexpected playoff run with a mix of superb defense, 22 home runs, and 14 stolen bases.

Meanwhile, stepping into the dugout for his 76th postseason game, is New York Yankee’s star Alex Rodriguez. The Yankee’s, not having seen postseason play since 2012, will have the home field advantage, but many experts don’t think that will be enough to give them the winning edge.

In their 7 games against the Yankees this season, the Astros won 4, outscoring the Yankees 36-17. It is sure to be an eventful game that you won’t want to miss. Below, we have listed the lineups for tonight’s game:

Yankees

LF, Chris Young

CF, Jacoby Ellsbury

C, Brian McCann

DH, Alex Rodriguez

RF, Carlos Beltran

3B, Chase Headley

1B, Greg Bird

2B, Rob Refsnyder

SS, Didi Gregorius

Astros

LF, Marwin Gonzalez

CF, Colby Rasmus

C, Jason Castro

DH, Evan Gattis

RF, George Springer

3B, Luis Valbuena

1B Chris Carter

2B, Jose Altuve

SS, Carlos Correa

 

Starting pitchers

Yankees: Masahiro Tanaka

Tanaka has quickly become the Yankee’s ace after signing a $155 million deal before the 2014 season. After being on the disabled list at the beginning of the season for a strained wrist, Tanaka made 14 starts before going back on the list with a hamstring strain on Sept. 18. Pitching on 5 day’s rest, he is at full health now and will be starting in the Wild Card.

AstrosDallas Keuchel

Leading the AL in season wins, Keuchel is in the running for the Cy Young award. Having faced the Yankees in two games already this year, Keuchel has yet to allow a run and has 16 strikeouts against the Yanks. Pitching with 3-days rest, we can’t help but wonder if the Yankees will be able to break that streak tonight. “Third time’s a charm,” Yanks’ manager Joe Girardi said Sunday.

 

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