HOUSTON — The Astros have knocked out the Yankees in the ALCS two of the past three seasons — and no one has hurt them more than Jose Altuve, whose game-winning two-run homer in the ninth sent Houston to the World Series. And the Yankees home.
“To be honest, I never feel good on defense when [Altuve] comes to the plate,’’ Brett Gardner said. “It’s not just us. Every team feels like that. He’s one of the best players in the game. He got a pitch to hit and didn’t miss it.’’
He did that a lot in the ALCS — and Altuve also started a nifty double play on a Gary Sanchez grounder to second to end the top of the eighth.