The Yankees didn't do much in the offense department, either: A double by Aaron Judge, and singles by Judge, Gary Sanchez (2 of them), Chase Headley and Chris Carter (for the Yanks' only RBI). The much-hyped rookie Clint Frazier went 0-for-3, but did draw a walk, as did Sanchez, Didi Gregorius, Tyler Wade and Rob Refsnyder.
But the Yankees just couldn't get anything going. Astros 8, Yankees 1. WP: Chris Devenski (5-3). No save. LP: Severino (5-4).
I was concerned that the Yankees would get swept in this series, since it was away to the team with the best record in baseball. Instead, they won big on Friday, and should have won on Saturday, but lost then and yesterday.
*
So here we are, 80 games into the 162-game season -- or, if you prefer, 12 weeks into the 24-week regular season. Halfway through. Here's how things stand:
* The Yankees are 43-37. In the American League Eastern Division, the Boston Red Sox lead the Yankees by 3 games, the Tampa Bay Rays by 5, the Baltimore Orioles by 6 1/2, and the Toronto Blue Jays by 9 1/2. In the all-important loss column, the Sox lead the Yanks by 2, the Rays and O's by 4 each, and the Jays by 9.
* The Cleveland Indians lead the AL Central by 3 over the Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals. The Astros lead the AL West by a whopping 14 1/2 games over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Washington Nationals lead the National League East by 7 1/2 games over the Atlanta Braves, and 9 1/2 games over the Mets, 9 in the loss column. The Milwaukee Brewers lead the NL Central by 2 over the Chicago Cubs, and 3 1/2 over the St. Louis Cardinals. The Los Angeles Dodgers lead the NL West by 2 1/2 games over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
* If the current standings hold until the end of the season, the Yankees will host the AL Wild Card Game, against the Rays. However, the Yankees have never won a Pennant as a Wild Card, losing the ALCS in 2010, the ALDS in 1995 and 2007, and the Wild Card Game in 2015.
This could have been avoided if Joe Girardi knew how to manage a bullpen. He has blown more than 3 games.
Tonight, the Yankees come home, to face the Toronto Blue Jays. Here are the projected starters:
* Tonight, 7:05: Masahiro Tanaka vs. Marcus Stroman.
* Tomorrow, a 4th of July matinee at 1:05: An all-initials matchup between CC Sabathia and J.A. Happ.
* Wednesday, another 1:05 matinee: Michael Pineda vs. Marco Estrada.
Then the Yankees have Thursday off, before the Milwaukee Brewers, formerly an AL East opponent, but now in the NL Central, come in for an Interleague series, to close things out before the All-Star Break.
The All-Star Game rosters -- minus the annual voting for the last player in each League -- were announced yesterday. The Yankees had 5 players selected: Catcher Sanchez, outfielder Judge, 2nd baseman Starlin Castro (who may not be able to play due to injury), and pitchers Severino and Dellin Betances.
I don't care about 5 Yankees being selected for the All-Star Game. I care about 25 Yankees being available for the World Series.