Astros-Yankees live updates: Alex Bregman puts Astros up, 6-5

The Houston Astros are one win away from the World Series after shutting out the New York Yankees 5-0 in Game 3 of the ALCS. A sweep today would secure the team its fourth American League pennant in six years. First pitch for Game 4 is scheduled for 6:07 p.m. CT at Yankee Stadium, although inclement weather in New York could impact the contest.

Chron’s Josh Criswell and Michael Shapiro will be providing live updates throughout the ALCS between the Astros and Yankees.

Astros sweep Yankees, advance to World Series | End 9

The Houston Astros are heading back to the Fall Classic after beating the Yankees 6-5 on Sunday to sweep the ALCS! The Astros are now 7-0 this postseason, and will have home-field advantage against the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series. They are the fifth team in MLB history to start the playoffs with seven straight wins.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 22: Alex Bregman #2 and Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros celebrate after the final out was recorded in the 5-0 victory against the New York Yankees in game three of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 22, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Elsa/Getty Images Houston still leads 6-5, three outs away from World Series | Top 9

The Houston Astros are only three outs away from their fourth American League pennant in six years after Rafael Montero tossed 1-2-3 bottom of the eighth. The Houston reliever struck out Josh Donaldson on a full count to start the inning, before forcing a flyout from Oswaldo Cabrera and a groundout by Matt Carpenter. Houston still leads 6-5 entering the ninth inning.

Astros Gold Glove finalists make key defensive plays | Bottom 7

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña and right fielder Kyle Tucker are both up for baseball’s top defensive honor, and each came up big on the defense with the Astros leading by one in the bottom of the seventh. Peña make a dazzling play on a grounder up the middle, while Tucker chased down a long fly ball from Giancarlo Stanton.

Bryan Abreu struck out Gleyber Torres to end the inning. Astros are holding onto a late lead, 6-5.

Alex Bregman puts Astros up late, 6-5 | Top 7

Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman put Houston ahead 6-5 in the top of the seventh, sending a line-drive single into right field to score Jeremy Peña. This marked Bregman’s fourth RBI of the series.

Yordan Alvarez ties it up in seventh. 5-5 | Top 7

Houston Astros rookie Jeremy Peña appeared to hit into an inning-ending double play in the top of the seventh, but Gleyber Torres and Isiah Kiner-Falefa had a mishap on the toss to second, allowing Peña to reach on an error and Jose Altuve to advance to second. Yordan Alvarez proceeded to drive in Altuve on a game-tying, RBI single. Houston has runners on first and third with one out in the inning.

Harrison Bader blast puts Yankees on top, 5-4 | Bottom 6

New York Yankees outfielder Harrison Bader broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth, blasting a solo home run to left to put New York up 5-4.

Astros, Yankees tied after five innings, 4-4 | Top 6

The Houston Astros and New York Yankees are all tied up, at 4-4, as Game 4 of the ALCS heads to the sixth inning. Houston starting pitcher Lance McCullers, Jr. retired Gleyber Torres, Josh Donaldson and Oswaldo Cabrera in order in the bottom of the fifth after giving up an unearned run in the fourth. With Hector Neris warming up in the Astros bullpen, McCullers might be done for the day. 

Rizzo delivers again, Yankees tie game 4-4 | Top 5

Anthony Rizzo added to his impressive playoff resume with an RBI single to tie the game, 4-4, in the bottom of the fourth. The New York Yankees first baseman drove in a run earlier Sunday night in the second inning, with a double down the left-field line scoring shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa.

Houston Astros starter Lance McCullers, Jr. has allowed four earned runs in four innings, marking his first multi-run playoff start since 2020. 

McCullers gets out of trouble in third | Bottom 3

After giving up three runs in the first two innings, Houston Astros starter Lance McCullers, Jr. delivered his first scoreless frame of the night in the bottom of the third. It didn’t come without drama, however. Gleyber Torres recorded a leadoff single, and advanced to third on the second out of the inning. McCullers retired Isiah Kiner-Falefa on strikes to escape trouble. Astros still lead, 4-3.

Houston takes first lead, 4-3 | Top 3

The Houston Astros followed up a game-tying, three-run home run from Jeremy Peña by taking their first lead of Game 4 in the top of the third. Yordan Alvarez doubled to right, and moved over to third on a single by Kyle Tucker. Yuli Gurriel then came through with an RBI single to put Houston up 4-3.

Jeremy Peña ties game with one swing, 3-3 | Top 3

Martin Maldonado and Jose Altuve drew back-to-back walks to start the top of the third, and Houston Astros rookie Jeremy Peña delivered. The shortstop launched a three-run blast to left field—his third home run of this postseason—to tie the game at 3-3. New York Yankees starting pitcher Nestor Cortes exited the game with an injury after the play.

Yankees extend lead in second, 3-0 | Bottom 2

The New York Yankees added on to their lead in the bottom of the second, as their most productive hitter this postseason delivered yet again. Anthony Rizzo, who entered the game as the team leader in OPS and RBI, hit an RBI double with two outs to give New York a 3-0 advantage.

Yankees take early lead, 2-0 | Bottom 1

Facing elimination, the New York Yankees got off to a strong start Sunday night in Game 4 of the ALCS. Giancarlo Stanton connected on a line-drive single to right in the bottom of the first, scoring Harrison Bader. Anthony Rizzo scored on the next play, as Gleyber Torres dropped a shallow single to right field to make it 2-0.

First pitch moments away | 7:25 p.m. CT

After more than an hour delay due to weather, it appears that Game 4 of the ALCS is about to get underway. Starting pitchers for the Houston Astros and New York Yankees were warming up in the bullpen as of 7:20 p.m. CT, with pregame festivities getting underway at Yankee Stadium.

Yankees World Series champion Bernie Williams threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Astros pitching at all-time level this postseason | 7:02 p.m. CT

Framber Valdez #59 of the Houston Astros reacts after the final out was recorded against the New York Yankees during the sixth inning in game two of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 20, 2022 in Houston.

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Houston is off to a 6-0 start to the MLB Playoffs, with the performance of its pitching staff being a significant reason why. The Houston Astros’ 2022 postseason ERA is among the lowest in MLB history. Read more >>

MLB announces possible start time for Game 4 | 6:34 p.m. CT

MLB has announced that it is targeting a 7:30 p.m. CT first pitch for Game 4 of the ALCS between the Houston Astros and New York Yankees. The game at Yankee Stadium was initially scheduled to begin at 6:07 p.m. CT, but has been pushed back due to weather. Read more >>

Astros, Yankees still have ‘appetite to play tonight’ despite weather delays | 6:06 p.m. CT

While the MLB has yet to make an announcement on if Game 4 of the ALCS will be postponed due to weather, TBS reporter Lauren Shehadi did have an update on the TBS broadcast: “Both teams agree that if they can get on the field in the 8 p.m. (ET) hour, there is an appetite to play tonight,” Shehadi said. “But as that gets later into the 9 p.m. hour, there’s less of an interest.”

There is also uncertainty as to when the game would be played on Monday, given the rain in the forecast. MLB is expected to provide an update within the next hour. Read more >>

Dusty Baker addresses future with Astros | 5:40 p.m. CT Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker Jr. (12) in the dugout during the sixth inning of a MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, July 16, 2022 in Houston.Karen Warren/Staff photographer

Despite the Houston Astros posting a 230-154 record over the past three years, including 106 wins in 2022, the future of manager Dusty Baker—whose contract expires after the playoffs—is still somewhat of an uncertainty. Baker discussed his situation prior to Game 3 on Saturday. Read more >>

Weather forecast looks bleak | 5:11 p.m. CT

The MLB announced shortly after 5 p.m. CT that due to weather Game 4 of the ALCS between the Houston Astros and New York Yankees will not start on time, while not ruling out the possibility of postponing the contest until Monday. There has been rain throughout the afternoon, and more is expected in the evening. The Yankees have already had two games postponed this postseason. Read more >>

Bottom of Houston lineup makes major impact in Game 3 | 4:40 p.m. CT

Chas McCormick #20 of the Houston Astros celebrates after his two-run home run against the New York Yankees during the second inning in game three of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 22, 2022 in New York City.

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Outside of an overpowering pitching performance, it wasn’t the usual suspects who helped lift the Houston Astros to a 5-0 win in Game 3 of the ALCS. The Astros’ bottom of the lineup drove in all of Game 3’s runs, showcasing the depth of Houston’s roster. Read more >> 

Starting lineups announced | 4:15 p.m. CT

Below are the starting lineups for Game 4 of the ALCS.

Houston Astros lineup:Jose Altuve, 2BJeremy Peña, SSYordan Alvarez, LFAlex Bregman, 3BKyle Tucker, RFYuli Gurriel, 1BTrey Mancini, DHChas McCormick, CFMartin Maldonado, C

Starting pitcher: Lance McCullers Jr.

New York Yankees lineup:Harrison Bader, CFAaron Judge, RFAnthony Rizzo, 1BGiancarlo Stanton, DHGleyber Torres, 2BJosh Donaldson, 3BOswaldo Cabrera, LFIsiah Kiner-Falefa, SSJose Trevino, C

Starting pitcher: Nestor Cortes

How to watch

Game 4 of the ALCS will be broadcast on TBS, with pregame coverage beginning at 5:30 p.m. CT. The contest can also be live streamed on the TBS app.

Betting odds

The Astros enter today’s game as slight underdogs from a betting standpoint. On DraftKings, they are listed at +100 (i.e, a $100 bet would net $100 in winnings) on the money line and +180 on the -1.5 run line (Houston to win by at least two runs). New York is -120 on the money line and +180 on the -1.5 run line.

Houston, which opened the series at -210 odds to win the American League pennant, is now listed at -3500. New York, meanwhile, has jumped from +175 to +2000 after falling behind 3-0 in the series.

The Astros are a heavy favorite to win the World Series at -165, with the Philadelphia Phillies being the next closest team at +160.

Pitching matchup

The Astros, who have a 0.67 ERA in the ALCS, will be looking to continue their dominance on the mound as Lance McCullers Jr. gets the start. McCullers struck out seven batters with two hits allowed in six shutout innings against the Seattle Mariners in Game 3 of the ALDS, his only appearance this postseason. He went 4-2 with a 2.27 ERA in eight starts during the regular season.

Nestor Cortes is slated to start for New York. Cortes made his first All-Star game appearance in 2022, and finished the regular season with a 12-4 record and 2.44 ERA. He’s allowed nine hits and three earned runs in 10 innings this postseason.