Astros vs. Yankees live updates: Bregman HR lifts Astros to win, 3-2

Chron’s Josh Criswell and Michael Shapiro will be providing live updates throughout the ALCS between the Astros and Yankees. Here’s what you need to know before Game 2.

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The Astros are two wins away from their fourth World Series appearance in six years after beating the Yankees 3-2 in Game 2 of the ALCS. The series will now head to New York for the next two, and if necessary, three matchups. Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday at 4:07 p.m. CT at Yankee Stadium.

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Fan runs onto field, hugs Altuve | Bottom 9

It was briefly a scary scene at Minute Maid Park on Thursday night as a spectator ran onto the field and gave second baseman Jose Altuve a hug. The fan was subsequently taken down by security and escorted off the field, though the incident did add a bit of shakiness to the proceedings.

Ryan Pressly entered the game following the interruption as he tries to close out Game 2.

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After four straight scoreless innings for both teams, the Astros head to the top of the ninth hanging on to a 3-2 lead. Ryan Pressly—who has not allowed a run in his past eight postseason appearances, dating back to last year’s ALCS—will look to close it out for Houston.

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Astros survive scare in eighth | Bottom 8

For a couple of seconds, Minute Maid Park went silent in the top of the eighth inning. Then a roar erupted from the crowd. With the tying run on first and go-ahead run at the plate, Aaron Judge launched a ball that appeared like it might be gone. Kyle Tucker showcased his Gold Glove-caliber defense on the play, though, making a leaping catch at the wall. Bryan Abreu struck out Giancarlo Stanton to end the inning and send Houston to the bottom of the eighth with a 3-2 lead.

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Valdez cruises after trouble in middle innings | Bottom 7

Framber Valdez rebounded from a two-run top of the fourth in a big way. He had retired seven consecutive batters at the end of the seventh inning, striking out the side in his most recent frame. With activity in the Houston bullpen, Valdez might be done for the day. He has nine strikeouts, with just four hits and two runs allowed on the night.

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Jeremy Peña makes dazzling defensive play | Bottom 6

Just a few hours after being named a Gold Glove finalist , Jeremy Peña showed why he’s emerged as one of the top defensive shortstops in the game in just one season. A two-out grounder bounced off the glove of a diving Alex Bregman, and New York appeared on its way to a single. Peña had other plans, barehanding the ball and firing it to first for the out.

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After a rocky top of the fourth, Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez got back in a rhythm in the fifth, tossing his fourth scoreless frame of the night to keep Houston’s lead at 3-2 entering the top of the sixth. Valdez had five strikeouts with four hits and two earned runs allowed through five innings.

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New York clawed back into the ballgame in the fourth inning largely thanks to some defensive difficulties from pitcher Framber Valdez. The Yankees scored a pair of runs in the fourth following two singles, an error and a groundout, cutting Houston's lead to 3-2.

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Alex Bregman broke open a scoreless tie in the bottom of the third with a towering three-run home run to left field. Bregman now has two home runs and six RBI this postseason.

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Astros miss early opportunity | Top 3

The Astros had a chance to take the first lead of the game in the bottom of the first, with Kyle Tucker drawing a walk and Yuli Gurriel hitting a line-drive single to left with one out. Aledmys Diaz struck out, however, and Chas McCormick popped out to the pitcher to end the inning.

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Scoreless first | Top 2

The top of both starting lineups were set down in order to kick off Game 1, with starting pitchers Framber Valdez and Luis Severino looking sharp. José Altuve nearly had his first hit of the postseason on a grounder up the middle, but Yankees shortstop Oswald Peraza was able to corral it. Altuve is now 0 for 20 in the 2022 postseason.

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And we’re off | Top 1

Framber Valdez threw the first pitch of Game 2 at 6:40 p.m., a ball to Harrison Bader. However, Valdez forced a groundout to Alex Bregman later in the at-bat.

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Roy Oswalt fires in first pitch | 6:43 p.m. CT

Former Astros ace Roy Oswalt got the festivities started at Minute Maid Park on Thursday as he tossed out the first pitch. The three-time All-Star looked as though he could still log a few innings if needed as he fired a pitch down the plate with plenty of velocity. Read more >>

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The scene at Minute Maid before Game 2 | 6:13 p.m. CT

The roof is open, the Rally Nuns are back and a familiar face is at Minute Maid Park for Game 2 of the ALCS. Here's a look at the pregame scene in Houston.

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Houston fans troll Yankees after Game 1 win | 5:57 p.m. CT

Chants of “We want Houston” broke out at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night following New York’s ALDS-clinching win over the Cleveland Guardians. Astros fans didn’t forget, and proceeded to have some fun with the New York faithful on their way out of the ballpark after Houston’s 4-2 Game 1 win. Read more >>

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Astros continue trend of clutch home runs | 5:28 p.m. CT

For the fourth consecutive game to start the 2022 postseason, the Astros crushed a go-ahead home run in Game 1 of the ALCS against the Yankees. It was a solo shot from Yuli Gurriel that put Houston on top on Wednesday, with Chas McCormick and Jeremy Peña also going deep in the contest. Read more >>

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Roof at Minute Maid Park open for Game 2 | 5:00 p.m. CT

Thursday will mark a rarity at Minute Maid Park, with the roof being kept open for just the third playoff game since 2005. The Astros split their World Series games against the Atlanta Braves last year that were played with the roof open. Read more >>

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Starting lineups | 4:40 p.m. CT

Below are the starting lineups for Game 2 of the ALCS.

New York Yankees lineup:

Harrison Bader CF

Houston Astros lineup

Jose Altuve 2B

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Why Jeremy Peña makes heart sign after big plays | 4:15 p.m. CT

It didn’t take long for Jeremy Peña to endear himself to Astros fans, and the Houston faithful have yet another reason to support him after Wednesday’s postgame interview. Speaking with TBS reporter Lauren Shehadi after the Astros’ 4-2 win in Game 1, the rookie shortstop shared the touching reason behind why he makes a heart shape with his hands after big plays. Read more >>

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Astros players up for top defensive honor | 3:55 p.m. CT

A pair of Houston players were named finalists for the 2022 Rawlings Gold Glove Award on Thursday, with Jeremy Peña and Kyle Tucker in the running at shortstop and right field, respectively. One of them will be going up against an individual who is quite familiar to Astros fans. Read more >>

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How to watch

Game 2 of the ALCS will be broadcast on TBS, with pregame coverage beginning at 5:30 p.m. CT. Live streaming of the game will also be available on the TBS app.

Betting odds

As will likely be the case for most of the ALCS (and the rest of the MLB Playoffs), the Astros are once again betting favorites for Game 2.

As of Thursday afternoon, DraftKings had Houston listed at -150 on the money line (i.e., a $150 bet on the Astros would net $100 in winnings) and +145 on the -1.5 run line (Houston to win by two or more runs). The Yankees were +130 on the money line and -170 on the +1.5 run line.

Houston, which opened the series at -210 odds to win the American League pennant, is now listed at -340. New York, meanwhile, jumped from +175 to +285 after its loss in Game 1.

The Astros are almost at even money to win the World Series with +105 odds. The San Diego Padres are the next closest team at +340.

Pitching matchup

Game 2 will feature two talented starting pitchers who posted ERAs below 3.20 during the regular season. Framber Valdez is set to take the mound for the Astros, while Luis Severino will get the nod for the Yankees.

Valdez has enjoyed a career year in 2022, going 17-6 with a 2.83 ERA, while leading the American League with three complete games and 201 1/3 innings pitched. He gave up four hits and two earned runs while striking out six in 5 2/3 innings in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Seattle Mariners.

Severino went 7-3 with a 3.18 ERA, with his 19 regular-season starts being his most since 2018, when he was an All-Star and finished ninth in the AL Cy Young voting. His only playoff appearance of 2022 came in Game 3 of the ALDS against the Cleveland Guardians, as he allowed eight hits and three earned runs with six strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.