ALCS Dates 2019: New York Yankees vs. Houston Astros, Schedule, TV Times

Reporter

🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.

Throughout the regular season, it seemed inevitable that the Houston Astros and the New York Yankees will cross path in the American League Championship Series (ALCS).

It has taken slightly longer than expected but the prediction has come to pass after the Astros defeated Tampa Bay 6-1 in Game 5 of the American League Division Series to book a third consecutive ALCS appearance.

More MLB

Houston arrived into the postseason as favorite to win a second World Series title in three years after winning an MLB—best 107 games this season and swiftly took a 2-0 lead over the Rays.

However, Tampa Bay rallied to win the next two games and take the series to a deciding Game 5 on Thursday night. In front of their own fans, the Astros held their nerve, jumping out to a 4-0 lead, before Gerrit Cole delivered another playoff masterclass to close the game.

Jose Altuve, Houston Astros — Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros is congratulated by his teammate Carlos Correa #1 after his solo home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the eighth inning in game five of the American... Bob Levey/Getty

The reward for Houston is a matchup against the Yankees in a rematch of the 2017 ACLS, which the Astros won 4-3 en route to winning the World Series.

Along with the Minnesota Twins and the Los Angeles Dodgers, the two American League heavyweights are the only team to have won over 100 games in the regular season this year and the series promises to be mightily close.

Astros star pitcher Justin Verlander said he was relishing the prospect of taking on the Yankees.

"This is two incredible powerhouse teams," he was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. "We'll find ourselves in the middle of the ring here in a couple of days and we'll be going at it."

However, Cole, who grew up as Yankee fan, insisted the Astros will not place particular significance on the pedigree of their opponents.

"I'm just going to treat it like it's the next game, man," he explained. "I mean, we know that they're obviously very talented, and it's going to be a dogfight."

While the Astros needed Game 5 to get past Tampa Bay, New York has been resting for almost a week after dispatching the Twins 3-0.

It marked the sixth time the Yankees had eliminated Minnesota since 2003, but their postseason record against the Astros is far worse as they lost both of their meetings.

Houston won the Wild Card round in 2015 and then edging New York in a thrilling ALCS in 2017, after the Yankees had taken a 3-2 lead.

Notably, the home team won every game of the series two years ago and a repeat of that scenario would see Houston progress to the World Series as it has home-field advantage.

Here's all you need to know about the American League Championship Series.

Aroldis Chapman #54 and the New York Yankees celebrate after the final out defeating the Minnesota Twins 5-1 in game three of the American League Division Series to advance to the American League Championship Series... Hannah Foslien/Getty

When does the American League Championship Series start?

Proceedings begin on Saturday, October 12 with Game 1 in Houston and Game 2 to follow a day later.

After a day off, the series moves to New York for Game 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively and will remain in the for the eventual Game 5 on Thursday.

Should they be required, Game 6 and 7 will be played in St. Louis on Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20.