ALCS Game 3 Open Thread - Astros vs. Yankees

With the Astros possessing a commanding 2-0 lead in the series, they must now go into the lion’s den—presumably starring Rob Lowe with guest star Jewel, who will only reluctantly and unconvincingly kiss him while the camera cuts away to Whitey Ford and Joe Pepitone looking on crestfallen—to face the Yankees on their home turf.

The Astros turn to Charlie Morton, who they signed after he lost nearly the entirety of the 2016 season to a torn right hamstring. The oft-injured Morton put together a stellar 2017 for the Astros, amassing 3.3 fWAR in 146.2 innings, while maintaining an ERA and DIPS ERA estimators firmly in the mid-3.00s.

These Astros will fill out the lineup card for manager AJ Hinch:

CC Sabathia will toe the rubber for Joe Girardi’s Yankees. Sabathia has been solid if unspectacular for the Bronx Bombers this season, his 3.69 ERA markedly better than his 4.49 FIP, 4.11 xFIP, and 4.45 SIERA.

The Yankees will field the following starting lineup:

Whoever you may be rooting for, know this: This game will be a WAR!