Game 26 Preview: Astros at Yankees

Houston at New York (AL), 6:05 PM CT

TV: CSN Houston
Radio: KBME 790 AM
Yankees SBNation Blog: Pinstriped Bible

Pitching Match

RHP Lucas Harrell (2-2 / 4.08 ERA / 1.57 WHIP) vs. LHP Andy Pettitte (3-1 / 2.23 ERA / 1.13 WHIP)

Preview

The Astros return to Yankee Stadium to face a former Astro, Andy Pettitte. It makes one feel old to think about the fact that Andy hasn't pitched in Houston in seven years. At the same time is amazing that Pettitte is still pitching at all at 40. Lets turn the page from Boston to New York.

Lucas Harrell takes the mound for the Astros in the Bronx. Harrell had his best outing last start, giving up only one run over seven innings. Harrell's start must have felt like an oasis for the Astros relievers, whom have had to pitch 4+ innings each game in Boston. Just ahead of CC Sabathia in BABIP, Harrell leads Astros pitchers in the category (.275). Harrell has mixed his pitches well off of his sinker to keep batter off-balance. The Deer Park product, Pettitte, is picking up a cool $12 million to pitch this year. Not bad for a year's work. The lefty has become Maddox/Glavine-like crafty, and has collected 4-straight quality starts in as many outings. What more is there to say about Pettitte, except to enjoy his mastery before it's gone for good.

Carlos Pena has been solid against Pettitte, 4 homeruns and 6 RBIs in 25 at-bats. Outside of Pena, no one has more then three at-bats. Leading me to believe the youngsters while have to jump all over Pettitte's low-90s fastball when they can. Harrell is all but unknown to the Yankees, except for Brennan Boesch (4-4 with an RBI). The Yankee lineup is far from the Bronx Bombers but Robinson Cano can still win a game by himself.

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