October Confidential: Astros vs. Yankees
The Astros will be in the Bronx to face the Yankees in the American League Wild Card Game presented by Budweiser on Tuesday on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET. The winner will take on the AL Central champion Royals in the AL Division Series, starting on Thursday.
What's the best way to beat each of these teams? To find out, we asked players from across their respective divisions to give the inside intel on how these clubs can be beaten. Our sources were granted anonymity in exchange for their candor.
HOUSTON ASTROS
Dallas Keuchel
"He's able to use his movement in the zone to get weak contact. He can punch guys out, obviously, but he's more of a contact pitcher. He knows where to throw the ball. He doesn't leave anything over the plate. He puts every pitch where he wants it. He's always going to be able to keep the game in control because he pitches his way out of trouble very well."
-- AL West catcher
:: AL Wild Card Game: Astros vs. Yankees -- Tune-in info ::
Carlos Correa
"He's one of the best young players in the game. The way he plays shortstop and his approach at the plate, it blows me away that he's only [21 years old]. He's one of the toughest outs in the American League, let alone in that lineup. Just the poise and confidence he plays with, he's well beyond his years. He's going to be a really good player for a long time."
-- AL West infielder
Evan Gattis
"Oy, the White Bear. He might be one of the scariest hitters in the American League, because he'll swing at anything. He's hit pitches that are eye-level, he takes pitches out of the dirt and hits them out. He's confident in the box, a presence in there."
-- AL West catcher
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NEW YORK YANKEES
Masahiro Tanaka
"His split doesn't have the velocity it used to. I think that split, when it was 89 [mph], it makes him tougher to hit. Still, the guy locates his pitches real well. You just want to make sure he stays up in the zone and on the plate. His first year before he got injured, that splitter was as filthy as can be. His fastball is just average, nothing crazy. He's still a good pitcher, though. Just wait for him to elevate. When you chase the low stuff on him, he'll drive you crazy."
-- AL East position player
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Andrew Miller
"With Andrew Miller, good luck. Yes, good luck. That's what I tell myself. If he's putting that slider where you want, you have no chance. He looks like he's 7-foot-4 out there."
-- AL East position player
Carlos Beltran
"Even now, a good fastball hitter up in the zone. So you have to attack him down because if you leave one up in the zone he will do some damage. He's another guy who has been around for a long time and you have to try to not let him beat you in good situations."
-- AL East pitcher