Keuchel overpowers Yankees, helps Astros to ALDS
Dallas Keuchel and the Houston Astros punched their ticket to the American League Division Series on Tuesday behind a dominant performance in the Bronx from the left-handed Cy Young candidate.
Pitching on three days' rest for the first time in his career, Keuchel eliminated the New York Yankees from the playoffs with three-hit ball over six shutout innings, helping his team to a 3-0 wild-card victory and date in the ALDS against the Kansas City Royals.
Top Performer: Keuchel overcame historic odds in his team's most important game of the season, becoming the first starter since Josh Beckett in 2003 to throw a scoreless outing in the postseason on short rest. The crafty left-hander retired 10 straight at one point and allowed just two baserunners to reach scoring position on the night. Keuchel finishes his season with 28 strikeouts in 22 scoreless innings against the Yankees.
Starting Pitchers: Keuchel outdueled Yankees ace Masahiro Tanaka, who was making the first postseason start of his career. Tanaka, who allowed 17 home runs in 14 home starts, gave up a pair of decisive solo shots to Colby Rasmus and Carlos Gomez in the second and fourth innings that put the Yankees in a 2-0 hole they never recovered from.
| Pitcher | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keuchel | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| Tanaka | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Turning Point: The Yankees' only attempt at a rally occurred in the sixth inning when they manufactured a pair of baserunners against Keuchel with two outs and Alex Rodriguez at the plate. A-Rod's playoff struggles, however, continued, as Keuchel induced a weak fly to center to escape the jam. Rodriguez is now hitless in his last 19 postseason at-bats with runners in scoring position.
Up Next: The Yankees' year is over but the Astros' second season is just beginning. Astros right-hander Collin McHugh will receive the ball opposite Royals hardthrower Yordano Ventura on Thursday in Game 1 of the ALDS at Kauffman Stadium.