The Yankees Are No Closer

The Yankees' brief single-game visit to Houston has shown that they are no closer to winning a World Series than they were last season, or the one before, etc., ad infinitum, ad nauseam.

This season, they have proven they can beat anybody except the Houston Astros. But until they can beat the Astros, they're not going to win the American League Pennant, and thus they're not going to win the World Series.

Last night's game was rescheduled from the 1st week of the season, delayed due to the labor dispute. The Yankees got very good pitching: Luis Severino went 6 innings, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks; Rob Marinaccio pitched a scoreless 7th, and Albert Abreu a perfect 9th; all of them in Minute Maid Park, which is every bit the bandbox that people who hate the Yankees claim that Yankee Stadium II is.

But the Yankees didn't hit. Anthony Rizzo hit a home run in the 6th inning. He also drew a walk in the 1st. And Giancarlo Stanton had 2 singles. Gleyber Torres, a single and a walk. A single by DJ LeMahieu. And a walk by, believe it or not, Joey Gallo. That was the Yankees' entire complement of baserunners last night.

Astros 2, Yankees 1. WP: Luis Garcia (6-5). SV: Ryan Pressly (17). LP: Severino (4-3).

The Yankees are now in the position that the Mets were in, going into the 2000 season. The Mets could be anybody but the Atlanta Braves, and had little choice but to hope that somebody beat the Braves in the National League Division Series, so the Mets wouldn't have to face them. They got lucky: The St. Louis Cardinals beat the Braves, while the Mets beat the San Francisco Giants. Then the Mets' luck held: They beat the Cardinals to win the Pennant. Then their luck ran out: The Yankees beat them in the World Series.

So now, the Yankees have to hope that somebody beats the Astros in a Playoff round before they face each other. Because these last 5 games, 4 in The Bronx and 1 in Houston, all point to one thing: The Yankees will lose every Playoff game in Houston, and thus the Astros will only need to win 1 at Yankee Stadium II in order to advance. And they will win at least 1.

So close. But so far away.