If you think about other professional sports, SU can see how home field/court/ice makes a difference in football, basketball and hockey come playoff time. You play all year to have that final game of the series at home. But in baseball, at least in the post-season, I don’t recall seeing the trend we are seeing this year in the past. The Astros looked as overwhelmed playing in NY as the Yankees did in Houston and in Cleveland for that matter. Actually, the Yankees September schedule was so back-loaded at home that they played 17 of their final games in the Bronx and had a great record. This has clearly carried over into the playoff rounds and they look like a different team. Part of that may also be youth and not being the gritty Paul O’Neil type warriors just yet who embrace playing on the road. Judge hits the large majority of his home runs at home, and the Yankees season road record was 40-41.
Anyway, this series feels a lot like the 2001 World Series with Arizona. Back then, the Yankees were listless in games 1 and 2, and then won 3 tense, low scoring games at home including two walk-off wins. You would have thought they had all the momentum going back to Arizona but Andy Pettitte got rocked in game 6 and then of course, we had the heart-breaking game 7 ending. As John Sterling likes to say, in baseball, “momentum is tomorrow’s starting pitcher.” Beating Verlander will be a challenge for sure and then anything can happen in game 7.
SU says the one factor is this: Houston has been in 1st place with a huge lead all year. Really the full season. They have played with no stress. For the first time now, they are playing in an elimination game. The pressure is on them. Verlander thrives in these situations but how about their young hitters? That will be the key. Can they regain their mojo now at home which almost makes it more pressurized before the nervous home town fans.
The Yankee bats have come alive. Even Chase Headley had 3 hits. There is production up and down the line-up now. SU worries about Severino. Not sure what was going on with him in game 2. He does appear to get too amped up and he is not a lock in game 6 to be good.
As SU has said before, the Yankees are playing with house money. This is all gravy. They have arrived ahead of schedule.
Sports Update Intergalactic 
This is as much fun as it was in in 1976 and 1995 after long post-season droughts, would love to get to the WS and then win it but this season just sets up a lot of good years to come. It is a great time to be a Yankee fan–almost don’t care who is pitching at this point–the games are exciting.
House Money…. that is just baloney now.. At this point there are no rookies anymore. This isn’t a few games into a season. They have played 173 games plus spring season. The Yankees are a team that just doesn’t give up and are steady in their approach. The closest thing to a Nick Swisher here is Frazier…. who is a veteran. Look at the dugout when someone does something good. They are professionals and are acting like one collectively. You don’t beat Minny’s top pitcher, Cleveland’s top pitcher twice and go toe to toe with Houston’s top pitchers twice and beat them once. This is who to give your opinion on… no matter what their age is. Momentum means alot. The month of September we had momentum. Houston and Cleveland really didn’t need it unless you want to argue that they were desperate to be the top team in the AL. Both those teams had very good AWAY records.
Offensively, the Yankees saw 2 excellent performances by Houston’s 2 top pitchers. Actually their next pitcher was lights out as well for 5 innings. What does this all mean? The answer is Nothing. It wouldn;t surprise anyone if Verlander came through again in a tight game. On the flip side it wouldn’t syrprise anyone if the yankees won in a tight game. An error or a misplay or a lucky hit and run, a bad call Ball 4. etc. etc. There are so many factrors which could happen which we aren’t read for. We do know this…. both teams have excellent Starters going tomorrow night. Both teams have solid lineups. Both teams will try hard to excel. The secret tomorrow will be if Serevino can maintain a steady disposition. If had all the pressure thrown at him last game after looking so bad against Minny. I think he learned from both these games. I’m sure he will be a little amped up… but not as much as before. It should be another thrilling game, a tight game offensively with one or two timely hits. It would not surprise anyone if Las Vegas had this game as close to a toss up with giving Houston a tiny edge. I think the only thing that would surprise me now is Headley hitting a home run. That would be insane……. but i’ll take it. Yanks 3-2 winners tonite. Bird hits a 2 run homer. Sanchez hits an opposite field home run as well.
I guess it helps a player to know all those people staring at their phones are rooting for them. I guess it helps a player to know that all those empty seats will eventually be occupied by supporters as soon as they’re done gorging on shrimp in the Legends Club. I guess it helps a player to know. I guess it helps a player to hear their personalized walk up music when the come to bat. Kidding aside, it’s always been worth something…that’s why they give it to the teams with the best record. I’m not surprised to see more wins for the home teams in the playoffs but I am surprised by the size of the imbalance.
Like you, I want to view this post-season appearance as gravy but we can’t take it for granted. There are other teams building for the future. There are other teams who think they have a core of great players. Just look at the Nationals, Indians and Red Sox. None of those teams made it to within one win of the World Series. However well the Yankees plan works out, there’s no guarantee they’ll be in this spot every season. We should enjoy it but that doesn’t mean we should take it lightly.
Getting annoyed watching A Rod show off his ring in the studio. How does he think this comes off? I find it silly and obnoxious. I actually think that Ortiz plays along but he’s just waiting to point out that since he and A Rod stopped playing, the Red Sox took a step backwards while the Yankees took 3 steps forward.
While NYY are playing with house money, we are now at the stage where Yanks have a golden opportunity, which has actually morphed into an expectation to make the World Series. Save the house money analysis for the World Series. Up 3-2 with all the momentum…
Yes, I know you don’t like it when I am satisfied with coming up short of the ultimate goal. I view it as a sign of maturity and enjoying the journey vs. needing to make it to the final round. Or maybe I am just worn down from rooting for my teams over the years. I think I will stick to the maturity angle.
You never know when you will get another chance to play in the World Series. Just ask David Wright and Jose Reyes. Fame and fortune are fleeting. Who remembers the losers in a playoff after a year.
Carpe Diem Yankees!
Dodgers vs Yanks will be great to watch. I’m sure it will bring back warm memories to an entire generation of baseball fans.