Pitching Advantage Has Houston On Precipice; Yankees Staying The Course With Boone, Cashman

The Houston Astros are one game away from their second World Championship in six years due mostly to their pitching staff shutting down the powerhouse Philadelphia Phillies lineup after falling behind 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.

After a subpar outing from Justin Verlander in a 6-5 loss in Game 1, Framber Valdez struck out nine in six innings to even the series going back to Philadelphia.

Game 3 starter Lance McCullers Jr. gave up five homers in a 7-0 thrashing on Tuesday, but Cristian Javier and three relievers no-hit Philly at Citizens Bank Park to even the series. Verlander, who was winless in eight World Series starts entering Game 5, gave the Astros five innings and manager Dusty Baker handed it off to his bullpen, who allowed only one run over four innings to give the Astros a 3-2 lead heading back to Houston for Game 6 on Saturday.

Valdez and Zack Wheeler will be the matchup on Saturday with the Phillies facing elimination, but if Philadelphia can extend the series to Game 7, they will have lefty Ranger Suarez (who shut out Houston for five innings in Game 3) on full rest likely against Javier on short rest.

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Status Quo in Yankees Universe

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone and General Manager Brian Cashman met with the media on Friday, less than two weeks after the club was swept by the Astros in the American League Championship Series.

In spite of their failure to make the World Series for 13 straight seasons, the Bronx Bombers will be bringing back Boone for his sixth season and Cashman indicated that he and owner Hal Steinbrenner have had discussions on a new contract.

“I do not (have a new deal). I have had a brief conversation with Hal Steinbrenner, my contract expired October 31. He said (that) we’ll obviously talk and expressed interest in having me back. Of course, I’d like to stay, but we have not had any further discussion on that,” Cashman said, “We are dealing with a lot of other employment stuff with other people, but all in due time, so we’ll see how that plays out.”

Cashman indicated that the re-signing of outfielder Aaron Judge is the highest priority coming off an AL record 62-homerun season and a likely MVP season, but would not comment on if negotiations are ongoing, as well as bringing back first baseman Anthony Rizzo (who can opt out of the final year of his contract), but also said that a slew of injuries in the second half contributed to the Yankees struggles after the All-Star break and their lack of production in the playoffs.