Decision to go with the inconsistent Masahiro Tanaka for Game 1 is risky, but makes sense  —  HOUSTON — Masahiro Tanaka had his worst performance of the season against the Astros on Derek Jeter Night in the Bronx, when he allowed four homers while failing to get out of the second inning.

Yankees vs. Astros: Breaking down the matchups between the two teams  —  Two years ago, the Yankees faced the Astros in a do-or-die, American League wild-card game at Yankee Stadium, the only other time the two clubs have met in the postseason before Friday's start of the ALCS.

Gary Cederstrom, Mike Winters to be umpire crew chiefs in LCS  —  NEW YORK — Gary Cederstrom will be the umpire crew chief for the American League Championship Series and Mike Winters will handle the duties for the National League Championship Series.  —  Major League Baseball made the announcement Thursday.

AL MVP candidates Aaron Judge, Jose Altuve, couldn't be more different  —  HOUSTON - Baseball stars and competing most valuable player candidates occasionally come in vastly dissimilar shapes and sizes.  —  There rarely has been a truer or more glaring example than pending AL Championship Series foes Aaron Judge and Jose Altuve.

Dallas Keuchel's history against the Yankees made him easy pick to start ALCS Game 1  —  HOUSTON — Dallas Keuchel could not hide his disappointment.  Or maybe the 2015 Cy Young winner just would not hide it.  The righthander came right out and said he was disappointed the Astros front office …

Yankees name Masahiro Tanaka Game 1 starter for ALCS vs. Astros  —  Masahiro Tanaka, fresh off his dominating performance vs. the Indians in Game 3, will start Game 1 of the ALCS the Yankees announced Thursday via Twitter.  —  Tanaka pitched seven shutout innings Sunday to help dig Bombers …

Astros veteran duo, traded by Yankees, happy for young stars on former club  —  HOUSTON — Carlos Beltran and Brian McCann spent most of the previous three seasons as teammates with the New York Yankees, and while there got to see the birth of those baby Bronx Bombers they will now face in the American League Championship Series.

5 keys for the Yankees to take care of the Astros in Houston to start the ALCS  —  The Astros are waiting in Houston for the Yankees, rested and formidable.  With the best offense in baseball and a rotation bolstered by the late-season acquisition of ace Justin Verlander …

Yankees rally around manager Joe Girardi in Game 5 win over Indians  —  New York third baseman Todd Frazier said the motivation for the Yankees' American League Division Series-clinching 5-2 win over the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday night was right there in the dugout.

Nationals-Cubs NLDS Game 5: Which team has edge in winner-take-all clash?  —  For the third time in six years, the Washington Nationals will attempt to win a decisive Game 5 in the National League Division Series at Nationals Park - and advance to their first NL Championship Series.