Astros, Keuchel Shut Out Yankees 3-0, Advance to ALDS Against Royals

October made only a fleeting appearance in the Bronx.

Working on only three days’ rest for the first time in his career in the AL Wild Card Game presented by Budweiser on Tuesday night, Dallas “Bees could be hiding in my beard and you would have no idea” Keuchel was dominant.

Jacoby Ellsbury, signed to a $153 million contract by the Yankees less than two years ago, was left out of New York’s starting lineup for Tuesday night’s AL wild-card game against Houston. Fortunately, they were there to help him out – unlike those usually thoroughly useless Stormtroopers.

Earlier this week, GM Brian Cashman said Girardi managed the Yankees into the postseason and it “wasn’t his fault we didn’t hit.” Sports Illustrated said this team would be good, and could make a World Series run in 2017 with the young talent coming up.

Inside the Yankees’ clubhouse, Chase Headley sat quietly and stared directly into his locker.

“That was a tough one”, Hinch said. “We didn’t reach our goal, but it’s not for lack of effort or trying”. In the end, New York generate more boos from its home crowd than hits vs. Houston (3).

Harvey on time: One day after missing a mandatory workout and apologizing for his late arrival, Matt Harvey went through practice with his New York teammates Wednesday before the NL East champions traveled to Los Angeles.

Rasmas tagged Yankee pitcher Masahiro Tanaka’s first pitch of the second inning for a long homer to deep right field for a 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the fourth, with the Astros leading, 2-0, Alex Rodriguez hit a fly ball into the right-field corner. I think there’s more depth in our organization as these kids get closer, as we have to go to people because of injuries. “And Greg Bird had one of our hits tonight and had a tremendous season for us, but we struggled against left-handers”. Tanaka threw 83 pitches and tied a season high with three walks.

“That was basically the whole (threat) we put together”, said Beltran. The precise 27-year-old left-hander allowed only three singles over six scoreless innings. In the seventh, Chris Carter walked and was replaced by Jonathan Villar, who stole second and scored on a bloop single by Jose Altuve. In his first postseason start, Keuchel gave the Astros all they could’ve asked for. “It’s going to be a few grind-it-out baseball”, Rasmus said. But Young was 6-for-20 lifetime against Keuchel, and hit.

In the end, nothing worked. “We hit a lot of home runs, pitch well and play defense”.

However, the Houston Astros are the worst road team that made the postseason, and they had the seven worst road record in baseball. It was followed up soon after by a solo shot by Carlos Gomez.

Before the Astros took a celebratory team photo on the Stadium mound, spilling beer and champagne on the dirt and grass, Girardi spoke for his disappointed club.

“So whatever that takes”, Girardi said.

“But I’m extremely proud of the guys in that room”.