Three takeaways with Astros

The Astros scored two runs in the fourth inning Friday and that was enough for a 2-1 victory over the Yankees in Game 1 of the AL Championship Series in Houston.

Needing just four games to dispatch the Red Sox, Houston earned a bit of a break while the Yankees upset the Indians in five games.

Dallas Keuchel has the Yankees’ number Keuchel entered Friday’s start with a 1.24 career ERA against the Yankees, which was best among active pitchers with at least five starts against them.

The Yankees are far from out of it Losing the first game in a best-of-seven series is never ideal, but the Yankees survived a two-game hole in the ALDS against the Indians.

He then collected eight hits (three home runs) in 15 at-bats against the Red Sox in the ALDS, which prompted Houston fans to shower Altuve with rising choruses of “MVP, MVP” during Friday night’s game.