Yankees Take 3-2 Lead in ALCS; Cubs Stay Alive in NLCS

After dropping the first two games of the American League Championship Series to the Astros in Houston by identical 2-1 scores, the New York Yankees found Yankee Stadium more to their liking. The Yankees won all three games in the Bronx to take a 3-2 lead in the series, sending it back to Houston for the remainder of the series.

New York’s pitching shut down the Astros’ potent offense. The Yankees won Game 3 by a score of 8-1, Game 4, 6-4, and Game 5 by a score of 5-0. The Yankees will face Justin Verlander in Game 6 at Minute Maid Park on October 20th. Verlander is exactly who they want on the mound for this game. Since being acquired in a trade with the Detroit Tigers at the end of August, Verlander was 5-0 with a 1.06 ERA in five regular season starts. In the Division Series with the Boston Red Sox, Verlander won two games, once as a starter and once in relief. And in Game 2 of this series, Verlander pitched a shutout while striking out 13.

In the National League Championship Series, the Chicago Cubs survived to play another day, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 at Wrigley Field. The Dodgers still hold the upper hand, leading three games ton on. Clayton Kershaw will try to wrap it up for the Dodgers versus Jose Quintana for the Cubs on October 19th.