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You Gotta Love Baseball

Cole Rodriguez

Oct 18, 2019; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks (31) and right fielder Aaron Judge (99) celebrate their win over the Houston Astros in game five of the 2019 ALCS playoff baseball series at Yankee Stadium. The New York Yankees won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

The Astros Dominate

The Astros have (surprisingly) had their way with the Yankees in the Bronx during the American League Championship Series, but the Bombers showed their mettle in Friday’s elimination game — refusing to be swept, which was called by betrivers sportsbook app Indiana.

Houston had all the momentum, and veteran stud pitcher Justin Verlander on the mound, which set up nicely for them. Not only that, the Astros jumped out to a 1-0 lead after the top half of the first inning, which, it appeared, could have been an early cushion for JV to work off, leading to an uphill battle for the Yankees.

But that wasn’t the case — far from it.

The Yankees blasted two home runs off Verlander later that frame, as DJ LeMahieu led off with a dinger, setting the table. An Aaron Judge single and a Gleyber Torres double put two on for centerfielder Aaron Hicks, and he made the best of it. Check out this three-run moonshot, off the foul pole.

And the pimp job that followed the dinger.

The reaction from Yankees fans was electric.

That pivotal swing gave the Yankees a 4-1 lead, and that ended up being the final score. Houston will now look to flamethrowing ace Gerrit Cole to close out New York at home in Game 6.

Love for CC

While it may be true that with coronavirus, a lot of players are practicing at home, we look back at some of the best moments in the MLB season with growing anticipation as Spring Training continues in full swing.  CC Sabathia spent the majority of his MLB career with the Yankees, where he’s pitched from 2009 on, giving fans plenty of celebrate over the years.

Sabathia began his career with the Indians, but later landed in the Bronx, where he’s been revered by fans ever since. He’s a class act and a loyal guy, as it relates to his personality, and that’s been part of why he’s been such a perfect fit in New York.

It appears that he made his final postseason appearance in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Thursday night, as he got the job done, retiring two Astros hitters — drawing a huge ovation in the process, saluting fans one final time.

Joe Girardi managed Sabathia for a number of years in the past, so showed some love for his former ace during the postgame show that followed the contest.

“I love you man,” Girardi said.

If that was the last-ever time we see CC pitch, then we’re OK with that, because of how great a career he put together.

The Damn Dirty Yankees

The Astros have not been getting a hero’s welcome from the home fans at Yankee Stadium during the American League Championship Series — in fact, far from it.

Astros players such as Josh Reddick have complained that fans heckled them in Game 3 and Game 4, which is to be expected.

What isn’t, though, is Yankees fans throwing objects at the players, as that’s completely crossing the line. Astros closer Roberto Osuna addressed reporters recently, speaking about how Yankees fans “cross the line” during games.

“Sometimes they really cross the line,” he said. “…MLB needs to do something about it. Bringing stuff about your mother and your family, you can say whatever yu what to us, and we’re not gonna get offended, but when you bring family or mother [into it], that’s too much.”

Fans have to be better, as heckling is one thing, but pelting visiting fans with objects isn’t cool, and there’s no place for it.

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