Major Yankees Red Flag Raised Around $218M Ace Getting Owned by Jose Altuve, by MLB’s Exclusive Partner

If there is one guy the whole Bronx hates, it’s Jose Altuve. Because every time the Yankees play the Astros, Jose Altuve is like a roadblock the Yankees can’t seem to get past. It has happened this year, it has happened in the past, and it might happen in the upcoming series. But more than Altuve, the Yankees fans are scared of Max Fried, who did not do a good job against the Astros in their previous meeting.

On the September 2 episode of the Talkin’ Yanks, they talked about the same issue. Jimmy O’Brien said, “I didn’t like the way that Fried pitched to Altuve in their last start, and I’m worried about that again… ” To this, Jake Storiale added, “First pitch can’t be a strike.” Nodding, O’Brien said, “Cannot be a high fastball.”

The Yankees have spent the better part of two decades discovering Houston to be their recurring tormentor. Since 2003, the Astros have owned signature October moments, eliminating New York in 2017, 2019, and 2022 with ruthless precision. Jose Altuve, in particular, has become a Yankee Stadium villain, hammering 19 career homers against them, 9 at Yankee Stadium. Each meeting reinforces the narrative that the Astros thrive under boos, while the Yankees crumble under pressure.

That history was renewed when Max Fried, who signed an eight-year, $218 million contract with the New York Yankees in December 2024, faced Altuve in their most recent Yankee Stadium encounter this August. The 31-year-old entered with a pedigree, but Houston forced him into a laborious outing of ninety-four taxing pitches. Altuve immediately punished a first-pitch fastball, depositing it over the wall for his 250th career homer. The rest of the lineup followed, eventually chasing Fried after five innings with four earned runs surrendered.

The hook is clear: history doesn’t whisper in the Bronx, it screams “Altuve.” The Yankees know it, the Astros relish it, and Max Fried already felt it. If New York insists on flirting with the same mistakes, Houston won’t hesitate to rewrite the ending yet again. The Bronx Bombers can spend millions, but until they solve Altuve, their October dreams remain on layaway.

Amid the Astros series, Aaron Boone has a 2-word update on Aaron Judge

The New York Yankees find themselves in an awkward balancing act as September unfolds quickly. Aaron Judge, recovering from a nagging right flexor strain, has been limited strictly to designated hitter duties. His absence in right field has forced Giancarlo Stanton into defensive roles, testing his own fragile durability. With looming matchups against the Astros, Blue Jays, Tigers, and Red Sox, timing couldn’t feel more precariously important.

Aaron Boone recently condensed the Bronx’s biggest storyline into a remarkably simple two-word update: “getting close.” Those words capture both optimism and uncertainty, leaving fans eager but anxious about Judge’s eventual return. While Judge continues throwing, team doctors remain cautious, delaying his transition back to outfield duties. Until clearance arrives, the Yankees must juggle compromised lineups that risk undercutting their playoff chase significantly.

Judge’s full return would instantly shift Stanton back into designated hitter mode, preserving his critical health. That domino effect restores power balance, ensuring both bats remain simultaneously available during this pivotal stretch.

The Astros series may be the stage, but Aaron Judge is still the headline act. The Yankees can’t afford to treat urgency like an optional accessory while Stanton plays roulette with his legs. For October to matter, Judge must stop teasing and start patrolling—because New York’s season isn’t “getting close,” it’s already here.

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