Yankees Probable Pitchers

A quality start by Greinke wasn't enough in Game 1, as the Astros were shut out at home. But his last time at Yankee Stadium -- July 31, the day he was traded to Houston -- Greinke held the Yankees to two runs in five innings with seven strikeouts.

Tanaka is expected to pitch on regular rest in the rescheduled Game 4. He has pitched twice this postseason, including six scoreless innings of one-hit ball in Game 1. Tanaka was impressively efficient in that outing, tossing only 68 pitches. The right-hander owns a 1.32 ERA over 41 career postseason innings spanning seven starts, dating to the 2015 AL Wild Card Game against Houston.

Verlander looked more like himself in his last ALCS start, allowing just two runs on an Aaron Judge homer in 6 2/3 innings as the Astros won, 3-2. In three playoff starts against the Yankees as an Astro, Verlander has a 1.19 ERA and 28 strikeouts.

Paxton exited after just 2 1/3 innings in Game 2 in Houston, even though he allowed only one run on four hits. Neither Paxton nor manager Aaron Boone believed the lefty was giving his pitches away. It was simply time to get the starter out of the game. Paxton went 7-3 with a 3.35 ERA in 15 home games this season.

Instead of using Game 3 starter Luis Severino on short rest, manager Aaron Boone said the Yankees will use Green as the opener in Game 6. Severino is expected to be saved for a potential Game 7 on Sunday. Green has worked 5 2/3 innings this postseason and allowed two runs on four hits.

Manager AJ Hinch said that Game 6 of the ALCS will be a bullpen game, instead of using co-ace Gerrit Cole on short rest. Cole would start a possible Game 7 on Sunday night. Peacock pitched in Game 5, hurling one inning and striking out one in relief of Justin Verlander.