Yankees threw the first punches and that was the difference

HOUSTON — The most common metaphor used to preview the ALCS between the 103-win Yankees and 107-win Astros was that of heavyweights clashing.

That felt right. These teams dominated the AL this year. They won their divisions handily. This was like a bout set up long ago and finally here, a rematch two years in the making to decide who advances to the World Series. And the Yankees knew something from the previous fights.

In Minute Maid Park, the Astros take on the characteristics of a bully. They dictate pace, play with even more swagger, move their opponent to their heels and into counterpunches, fueled further by the orange-clad throaty throng that fills the stadium. The Yankees lost the ALCS…