Houston Astros Return to Haunt Yankee Dreams
The Yankees thought they had finally overcome their postseason demon a year ago. They felt time would complete the rest of the decline of their terror from Texas. The obstacles that stopped them four times in the postseason were eliminated early, clearing the path to an American League Championship. However, the nightmare returned this year. The Astro killer, Juan Soto, is long gone with the largest baseball contract ever, and Houston has retooled, and the Yankees are in freefall. The Yankees' nightmare returns to the Bronx at their most vulnerable period.
One has the sense that this three-game set will not go well. Yet, the Yankees have no room to play around. They must start securing wins as a postseason appearance is sliding away. History states that Houston has our number. A look back tells you why. The 2015 Wild Card shutout. The Game Seven ALCS classic saw New York fall short. A new manager, Aaron Boone, was next, and an injury-riddled team fell in six in another ALCS. In 2022, Houston humiliated the Yankees in four straight and once again in the ALCS.
Despite losing most of their starting lineup, Houston has maintained their excellence and found ways to win in the ensuing years. When New York had a chance to sign Carlos Correa, they claimed they had a suitable replacement in minor leaguer Anthony Volpe. However, the Yankees' faith in Volpe has not paid off. Now, Correa has returned to join forces with Yankee nemesis Jose Altuve, just in time to remind New York what they missed out on once again.
The Yankees are running out of time and cannot afford to be complacent in this series. They desperately need wins as their postseason chances are slipping away. They must send a strong message and build momentum to make a comeback. However, the recurring nightmare that has haunted them numerous times has returned. The Yankees must overcome this challenge to change the narrative and instill fear in their opponents. The dream of overcoming this fear is alive, and it will persist until a hero emerges to rewrite the story.
