The Houston Astros flaunted something that the New York Yankees can not do, and it has to do with the construction of their stadium.
When it comes to weather and the New York Yankees, it’s been a match made in hell this postseason. The Yankees had two games postponed due to inclement weather, the most notable being a win-or-go-home Game 5 of the ALDS. Instead of getting a day off ahead of Game 1 of the ALCS against the Houston Astros, the Yankees had to use that day to get in Game 5.
New York dropped Game 1 to Houston by the score of 4-2 on Wednesday night. Ahead of Game 2 on Thursday, the Astros decided to flex on the Yankees. By that, we mean they opened the retractable roof of Minute Maid Park for the game.
Astros open roof of Minute Maid Park for ALCS Game 2
Talk about a flex.
Of course, Yankee Stadium in The Bronx does not have a roof. So if it rains or snows, there is a high risk of the scheduled game being delayed or postponed. This postseason, rain in New York has caused the Yankees to have two games rescheduled. Not exactly ideal.
Houston initially trailed New York in Game 1 following a solo home run by Harrison Bader in the top of the second, but immediately tied things up in the bottom of the inning on an RBI double by Martin Maldonado. Then, in the top of the sixth, the Astros took a 3-1 lead on solo home runs by Yuli Gurriel and Chas McCormick. They extended their lead on a huge solo shot by Jeremy Pena in the top of the seventh inning.
The Astros struck out the Yankees 17 times in the game, 11 of which came from ace Justin Verlander. As for Houston, they struck out a grand total of two times.
For Game 2, the Astros will send Framber Valdez to the mound, while the Yankees hand the start to Luis Severino.