Houston Astros: Why Dallas Keuchel is the New York Yankees killer

The Houston Astros will commence the ALCS series at Minute Maid Park Friday night and Dallas Keuchel will be on the bump to get things going. You know what? History is on his side.

Yes, the reality has finally set in that the Houston Astros are going to be participating in their ALCS in franchise history. In their short AL history, it only took four seasons for them to get to that point. That’s remarkable considering the near life-altering move for us to move the AL to begin with. I always thought that this team was an NL-style but we’ve learned to tolerate it and one could make a case that it has helped with our success, postseason-wise.

Dallas Keuchel has been given the nod by A.J. Hinch to get the ball and take the bump in front the bright lights at the Juicebox Friday night. This will be one of the Keuchel’s most-critical games of his career but he certainly seems that he’s up to the challenge. Since his debut some five seasons ago, I never knew that he’d morph into the dominant pitcher that he is now.

Injuries aside — when he’s in full-form, you can bet your bottom dollar that he’ll be throwing K’s left-and-right with his tactical, locating-style with his pitches. He’s never going to make that ball sizzle but he’s certainly going make you whiff at a swing. Quite honestly, that’s all that matters.

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The bearded-lefty is 14-5 with a 2.90 ERA on the season despite being on the shelf for a bit which is certainly ’nuff said.

But let’s delve deeper in the numbers with Keuchel. He has had an incredible history against the New York Yankees:

Through his career, Keuchel possesses a 4-2 record, posted a 1.41 ERA, 45 strikeouts, seven earned runs and a outstanding 0.806 WHIP through six starts against the Yanks.

We all know that playoff baseball is a lot different but considering the stakes and the past history, Keuchel has quite a bit of a positive history on his side to hopefully bolster his confidence going into the game.

He knows the score and he knows what he’ll be up against so I wouldn’t expect Keuchel to be anything less than great Friday.

And for an even better stat, he’s just as good at Yankee Stadium, possessing a 1.61 ERA and 0.821 WHIP through four career starts there.

We may need him up there next week so it’s good to know his usefulness could bear insatiable fruit. I’m positive he’s doing everything he can to prepare for this game and that includes getting consultation from Justin Verlander, his fellow ace on this squad.

Next: Astros vs. Yankees: Sitting down with the enemy

I couldn’t be more proud of him as he’s had to carry this team quite a bit on pitching front over the years — he was vocal in regard to the Houston Astros inaction at the non-waiver trade deadline — and he finally has some help with Verlander in-tow.

I wish you the best of luck DK and show Aaron Judge who’s boss!

Go Astros.

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