The New York Yankees are losing hold of their previously firm grip atop the 2022 MLB standings. The Houston Astros started the second half of the season by sweeping the Yankees in a doubleheader, pulling within just 2.5 games of the American League’s best record.
It was only a month ago that the Yankees took an 8.5-game lead over the Astros by defeating Houston in their first matchup of the season. Since that contest, the Astros have beaten the Yankees in five of their six meetings.
By winning the season series against New York, Houston owns the tiebreaker in case the two teams enter the playoffs with the same record. The rivals seem destined to face off in the postseason, once again, where the Astros have owned the Yankees over the last several years.
The Astros eliminated the Yankees from the ALCS in 2017 and 2019. In both series, Houston had home-field advantage and clinched a trip to the World Series in front of their fans. If the Astros and Yankees are tied atop the final standings, Houston will get the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage in the ALCS.
Houston also beat New York in the 2015 AL Wild-Card Game.
“I understand it’s a big story,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters after Thursday’s sweep. “I understand the season we’re in. It’s not going to matter unless (it’s) October. If we happen to come back here in October we’re going to show up. We’re going to expect to win. We think we’re really good. They’re really good. Don’t overstate this.”
Oddsmakers seem to agree with Boone. The Yankees are still favored to win the World Series with +300 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. The Los Angeles Dodgers are second with +350 odds, followed by Houston at +450.
Yankees hit .151 vs Astros this season.
That's the 2nd-worst batting average for any team vs another team in a single-season series (minimum 7 games).
The worst is .147 by Giants vs Cubs in 2016.
— Katie Sharp (@ktsharp) July 22, 2022
The Yankees have scored the most runs in baseball, but their lineup has been completely shut down by the Astros. New York is hitting .151 against Houston in seven games.
The Astros lead MLB with a 2.99 ERA. Houston’s bullpen has been particularly effective, posting a 2.71 ERA.
Even though the All-Star break has only just ended, both teams are well on their way toward winning division titles. The Yankees have a 12-game lead in the AL East over the second-place Tampa Bay Rays. The Seattle Mariners are the only other AL West team that is over .500, and they trail the Astros by 10 games for first place in the division.
The Minnesota Twins, the AL’s third division leader, are 14 games behind the Yankees in the standings.
Photo: GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA via AFP / Ron Jenkins
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