On to Houston

Yesterday was a fun day for the Yankees, beating Cleveland in a game that was close enough to be exciting, but not close enough to be really tense. Cortes was shaky again but was effective enough to get the win, and the bullpen was surprisingly effective the last four innings. Giancarlo Stanton's three-run home run in the first inning was enough offense to push the Yankees through to the next round. That's as good excuse as any to show off this card again.

Great player, great card. The last few postseasons, Stanton has been the one Yankee who has consistently hit well. Needless to say, to have a chance to even make the ALCS close, every Yankee will have to perform at their best. The Astros continued their thorough domination of the Yankees this year, including no-hitting them on my birthday. In fact, the Yankees never played with a lead in their seven games against Houston this year (they won two games on Aaron Judge walkoffs). The Yankees haven't won a pennant in thirteen years, and it still seems farfetched that they could win one this year, but hopefully they'll at least be able to make the series exciting.