5 Things to Watch For As New York Yankees Host Houston Astros
5 Things to watch for are presented as the Yankees prepare to host the Astros. The Astros are a good baseball team and present a challenge for the Yankees. These 5 things mostly present a set of challenges for the reeling Yankees, who won the last game of a six-game road trip but struggled even in that game.
Here is a short listing of the 5 Things: Can Aaron Judge play right field? Astros starters could be a problem. Can Yankee Starter Luis Gil bounce back from his rocky first start? Who will close for the Yankees? Will the Yankees be able to stay in playoff position?
First Of the 5 Things: Can Aaron Judge Return To Form and Right Field?
The biggest question of this series is whether Aaron Judge can play right field. Doing so would free up the designated hitter spot in the lineup for Giancarlo Stanton. Judge has played two games since returning from the injured list and has not looked like himself at the plate. In those games, he went 1-for-6 with three strikeouts.
The Astros have difficult pitchers, and there is also how Judge handles his throwing program, which seems nascent. Will we see Judge in right field in this series? There is a distinct possibility that it happens, which would also open up Stanton, who was the Yankees’ hottest hitter before Judge returned, to return to the lineup. Judge could rush back because of this situation.
Second of the 5 Things: Astros Starters Could Be a Problem
There is an argument to be made that the Astros have the starting pitching advantage in all three games of this series. Even though many have predicted the Astros would take a step back this season, they have continued to play great. One of the reasons for this continued great play is their strong starting pitching, which will be on display in this series.
First, Hunter Brown (9-5, 2.47 earned run average) will pitch in the series opener, and Framber Valdez (11-5, 2.83 earned run average) follows on Saturday. While the Astros have not announced a starter for Sunday’s series finale, those two could win the series. The Yankees may have the advantage in the third game of the series, with Max Fried scheduled to start, but he has struggled recently, and the Astros may win the first two games of the series.
Third Of the 5 Things: Can Luis Gil Bounce Back?
The Yankees were very happy to get Gil back after missing the entire season. However, Gil had a tough debut last weekend. He allowed 5 runs across 3.1 innings against the Miami Marlins. It was good to see the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year get back on the mound.
Interestingly, Gil does have a start against the Astros in his career. In one start, he allowed just one run across six innings. He is starting Saturday’s game opposite Valdez, and it may be one to watch, if for nothing else, to see if Gil can be a viable starter for this team down the stretch.
Who Will Be Closing For the Yankees?
Devin Williams has been awful recently. In his place, David Bednar’s five-out save in Wednesday’s series finale against the Rangers probably won him the job. Manager Aaron Boone does have options because the Yankees have four closers in their bullpen. In addition to Williams and Bednar, Luke Weaver and Camilo Doval can fill the void.
The Last Of the 5 Things: Win and Stay In: The Season Is At Stake
The Yankees avoided the unthinkable by winning the last game in Texas. They saved their wild-card position and won the season series with the Rangers. However, they could fall out of the playoff picture this weekend. If the Yankees can take care of business in this series, they can root for some teams to give them some help in the standings. The Guardians and Rangers, two teams that trail the Yankees, take on the White Sox and Phillies, respectively.
Conclusion
The Yankees are in big trouble. They are clinging to a playoff spot and face a difficult weekend series against the Houston Astros. They have difficulty scoring runs and face two difficult pitchers in Brown and Valdez. They could get swept. They have made their bed and now they must sleep in it. All of a sudden, it matters for the Yankees what other teams are doing. One thing is for certain. If the Yankees continue to make physical and mental errors, they will lose. In truth, there are many more than the 5 things with which the Yankees must be concerned.
