Astros Win Wild Card Game in New York

Boos rained down in Yankee Stadium, as the Houston Astros celebrated a 3-0 victory over the New York Yankees in the 2015 American League Wild Card Game. For Houston, it’s their first playoff win since 2005.

In a win or go home situation, Cy Young candidate Dallas Keuchel was pitching on short rest. Keuchel shut down the Yankees’ offense, giving up no runs on three hits with seven strikeouts in six dominant innings.

Astros left fielder Colby Rasmus got the scoring started, as he rocketed Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka’s first pitch in the second inning deep into the right field bleachers for a home run. Carlos Gomez, acquired before the July 31st trade deadline from the Milwaukee Brewers, provided the second solo home run of the game in the 4th inning making it 2-0 Astros.

In the top of the 7th, All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve delivered a two out RBI single off the all star Yankee reliever Dellin Betances, providing an insurance run for the Houston bullpen. Three runs was more than enough though, as Keuchel stimied any hope the Yankees had against him, and a combination of Tony Sipp, Will Harris, and Luke Gregerson closed it out late.

Just two years ago, the Houston Astros had a disastrous record of 51-111, and last year owned a record of 70-92. No one thought the Astros would even sniff the postseason this year, yet in a stunning turnaround, the Astros marched into Yankee Stadium for an elimination game and sent the Yankees off reeling from their home park.

The Astros have the league’s 25th highest payroll, and they defeated the league’s second highest payroll in the Yankees. Houston’s rebuilding process happened much sooner than expected. Rookie of the year candidate Carlos Correa has proven the potential to be a star, along with other Astros young stars George Springer, and Jose Altuve. Together, those three have the chance to be the core of something great for years to come in the Space City.

Now, the Astros are headed to the American League Division Series where they will face the defending American League Champion Kansas City Royals. The ALDS gets kicked off on Thursday in Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. This year’s Astros are a lot like last year’s Royals. They snuck into the the playoffs, and then won a thrilling Wild Card Game. It’ll be a fun matchup for sure. Will Houston be able to ride their momentum?