Mandatory Credit: Photo by David J Phillip/AP/Shutterstock (13441319i) Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez is congratulated in the dugout after pitching the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, in Houston Phillies Astros Baseball, Houston, United States – 05 Oct 2022
2022 ALCS Game 2 Preview: facts and storylines for Astros vs. Yankees
The Astros took advantage of a potentially travel-weary Yankees team, taking control late in Game 1 of the ALCS to notch a 4-2 win and draw first blood in the series. Will a full night’s rest make a difference for the Yankees lineup in Game 2 after looking overmatched by Houston’s pitching for most of the teams’ first postseason meeting of 2022?
It’ll be a pivotal game for New York, who will try to steal one in Houston before the series moves to the Bronx, while the Astros will try to stay undefeated in the postseason. Here’s a look at ALCS Game 2:
Game Facts
When: Thursday, 10/20/2022, 6:37 p.m. Central.
Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas.
TV/Streaming: TBS / Watch TBS App
Pitching Matchup: Framber Valdez (17-6, 2.82 ERA) vs. Luis Severino (7-3, 3.18 ERA).
Series: HOU leads 1-0.
Series Schedule
| Date & Time (Central) | Location | Pitching Matchup | |
| Game 1 | Final: HOU 4, NYY 2 | Minute Maid Park, Houston | Verlander vs. Taillon |
| Game 2 | Thu 10/20/2022, 6:37 PM | Minute Maid Park, Houston | Valdez vs. Severino |
| Game 3 | Sat 10/22/2022, 4:07 PM | Yankee Stadium, Bronx | McCullers Jr. vs. Cole^ |
| Game 4 | Sun 10/23/2022, 6:07 PM | Yankee Stadium, Bronx | TBD vs. Cortes^ |
| Game 5* | Mon 10/24/2022, 3:07 PM | Yankee Stadium, Bronx | TBD |
| Game 6* | Tue 10/25/2022, 5:07 PM | Minute Maid Park, Houston | TBD |
| Game 7* | Wed 10/26/2022, 6:37 PM | Minute Maid Park, Houston | TBD |
^ Projected starters
Valdez will look to match Verlander
In 2022, the Astros have benefited from having two ace-caliber pitchers on their team. It becomes especially advantageous in the postseason, where one can help offset a poor outing by the other. In this case, with Verlander’s six solid innings of one-run baseball in Game 1, the Astros can use their 1-2 punch to try and dominate the series’ first two games.
Framber Valdez last pitched a week ago in Game 2 of the ALDS in Houston against the Mariners, allowing two runs and three walks while striking out six over 5.2 innings. If he can do the same, or ideally better, he’ll have the Astros and their bullpen in good shape for this game and the series.
Looking ahead to the series schedule
Speaking of the bullpens, if there will be a time to use them, it’ll be in Game 2. After Thursday’s game in Houston, the two teams will get their only day off of the series on Friday before resuming play at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. That’ll kick off a potential five-game stretch over five days, if all games are necessary, with games three through five in New York and then six and seven in Houston, all in succession Saturday through Wednesday.
With that, expect the bullpens to be used more aggressively in Game 2, with the off day on Friday to recuperate before the long stretch of games later in the series. For Houston, that may mean having Ryan Pressly appear again after his four-out save in Game 1, should this be a tight game late.
