Pro Sports

LEADING OFF: Keuchel tries to stop Yanks again; NLCS Game 4

Posted October 17, 2017 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

A groundskeeper mows the grass around a recently painted field logo before an American League Championship Series baseball workout day at Yankee Stadium in New York, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

A look at what's happening all around the majors Wednesday:

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HISTORY ON HIS SIDE

With the AL Championship Series tied at two games apiece, Dallas Keuchel pitches for the Houston Astros against Masahiro Tanaka and the New York Yankees (5:08 p.m. EDT). Keuchel is 6-2 with a 1.09 ERA in eight career starts vs. the Yankees, including a pair of scoreless playoff outings. The 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner tossed seven shutout innings and struck out 10 to beat Tanaka 2-1 in Game 1 at Houston. The left-hander has never given up a home run in 57 2/3 innings against the Yankees. "Hopefully, seeing him twice in one series, our guys are able to adjust a little quicker," New York manager Joe Girardi said.

FRESH ARMS

Dodgers left-hander Alex Wood and Cubs righty Jake Arrieta square off in Game 4 of the NL Championship Series in a matchup of well-rested pitchers. Wood, who had a career-high 16 wins this season, will make his first appearance since Sept. 26. He was lined up for Game 4 of the Division Series, but the Dodgers swept the Diamondbacks in three games.

"It has its pluses and negatives," Wood said of the layoff. "I've stayed on a semi-regular schedule. I've had two (simulated) games in between against a lot of our regular guys in our lineup."

Arrieta has pitched just 14 1/3 innings since Aug. 30, including four innings of two-hit ball against Washington in Game 4 of the NLDS. The 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner was hampered by a right hamstring injury at the end of the season.

"I think the leg issue is pretty much behind us," Arrieta said.

HOME SWEET HOME

Aaron Judge and the wild-card Yankees are 5-0 at home this postseason heading into Game 5 of the ALCS against the Astros. The winner heads to Houston needing one win to reach the World Series, so Yankee Stadium figures to be rocking again. "Every home game has been special," manager Joe Girardi said. "I just feel like the fans are back. And I see things that I haven't in a while, and it reminds me a lot of when I was playing here." Girardi said Gary Sanchez will be back behind the plate to catch Masahiro Tanaka after backup Austin Romine caught Sonny Gray in Game 4 on Tuesday. Sanchez was the designated hitter and had three RBIs, including a two-run double that snapped an eighth-inning tie as the Yankees rallied from four runs down for a 6-4 victory. New York has won 18 of its last 21 home games.

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More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

Chicago Cubs' Jake Arrieta talks during a news conference before Game 3 of baseball's National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press

Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras tags out Los Angeles Dodgers' Chris Taylor at home during the fifth inning of Game 3 of baseball's National League Championship Series, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) The Associated Press

New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, right, leaves the field with his translator after a light workout during an American League Championship Series baseball workout day in New York, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

Chicago Cubs' Ian Happ reacts after striking out during the seventh inning of Game 3 of baseball's National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) The Associated Press

Los Angeles Dodgers' Alex Wood talks during a news conference before Game 3 of baseball's National League Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yu Darvish (21) looks up the sky as he leaves during the seventh inning of Game 3 of baseball's National League Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) The Associated Press

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