Now they're facing elimination.
The Yankees blanked the Astros, 5-0, in Game 5 on Wednesday night to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven AL Championship Series presented by Camping World.
"This series isn't over," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "This game is. We're going to get back to Houston and get to an off-day with our families and come back ready to play."
Veteran catcher Brian McCann and veteran designated hitter Carlos Beltran -- a pair of former Yankees -- spoke up in a team meeting in the moments following the Game 5 loss, and they reminded their teammates the series is far from over.