Indians, Astros Claim ALDS Game 1 Wins

Overmatched, over-Bauered and nearly over.

The Cleveland Indians dominated every aspect of Game 1 of the ALDS on Thursday night to take a 1-0 series lead over the New York Yankees. Joe Girardi’s club did not capitalize.

Corey Kluber is just too good of a pitcher and the Yankees will not be able to generate any offense against the soon to be, two-time Cy Young Award victor.

Bauer aided the Indians’ sprint to the finish by going 9-1 with a 2.42 ERA over his last 13 games (12 starts) and allowed two runs in 13 innings over his final two starts.

It’s the only way to avoid the likes of Aaron Judge getting another golden sombrero (twice looking), Greg Bird looking completely inept and Todd Frazier being overzealous at the dish.

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (47) pitches during the first inning against the New York Yankees in game one of the 2017 ALDS at Progressive Field. It’s probably a tough look if he doesn’t back the fellow Cleveland squad publicly despite rooting for the Yankees in his heart.

Following Rizzo’s RBI hit in the sixth, Strasburg handed the ball to Ryan Madson, who allowed the Cubs to tack on an extra insurance run with Rizzo’s RBI double in the eighth. After the only walk he surrendered, Francona pulled Bauer, who tipped his cap to the packed stadium giving him a standing ovation. For the 2014 San Francisco Giants, they had ace Madison Bumgarner go the distance for a complete game to secure their wild card round victory.

Tonight the Yankees will throw the ball to Sonny Gray to see if he can guide them to a Game 1 win on the road to get themselves off to the ideal start in this best of five contest.

Gray went 4-7 with a 3.72 ERA in 11 starts after being acquired from the Oakland Athletics prior to the trade deadline but struggled some in September, surrendering nine home runs in 35 1/3 innings. And he didn’t get any help.

Andrew Miller-who clearly didn’t have his best stuff while walking two in an inning of work Thursday night-still struck out three. Judge whiffed against closer Cody Allen to finish the inning.

For the Yankees, the later innings were full of mistakes and missed opportunities.

Brantley appeared as a pinch hitter in the 2nd inning of Game 2 after Edwin Encarnacion rolled his right ankle and had to leave the game. Bruce crushed it, lofting it high. That made it 3-0 Indians.

That also helped chase Gray, who NY acquired July 31 in a deal with Oakland. The Indians also got a fantastic defensive play from Jason Kipnis in center field. After he walked Roberto Perez, Girardi decided he’d seen enough. Gray was replaced by Adam Warren, who gave up a single to Urshela to load the bases with one out.

Austin Jackson will start in left field against NY left-hander CC Sabathia, and Yan Gomes will catch Kluber. He’s a strong bet to claim his second Cy Young Award. Bruce, the former New York Met, struck a two-run home run and drove in three of the Indians’ four runs on the night.

The 25-year-old right fielder went 0 for four with four strikeouts, and looked lost at the plate.