Maldonado wanted no part in throwing Brett Gardner a 2-0 fastball, a breakdown

In a critical late-season matchup, the Houston Astros are facing off against the New York Yankees. With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth inning, Astros catcher Martín Maldonado steps onto the mound to confer with pitcher Héctor Neris. Maldonado looks over to the Astros dugout and says, "Alright, what pitch are we going to throw to Brett Gardner?" The Astros coaching staff signals for Neris to throw a fastball right down the middle. Maldonado's expression immediately shifts to one of disbelief, his eyes widening as he shakes his head. "Are you kidding me?" he mutters, clearly uncomfortable with the decision. Nonetheless, Neris winds up and delivers the 2-0 fastball as instructed. Yankees veteran outfielder Brett Gardner calmly watches the pitch sail over the plate, not swinging. Maldonado simply shrugs his shoulders, acknowledging the questionable call. "Thank you, thank you kindly," Gardner says with a wry smile, as if to say the Astros have just handed him an easy base hit. The veteran outfielder seems unfazed, ready to take advantage of the Astros' gift. The tension is palpable as the game hangs in the balance. Neris and Maldonado have to regroup quickly, knowing they've potentially given the Yankees an opportunity to take the lead late. The Yankees dugout remains quiet, their focus solely on the next pitch. This crucial matchup between two American League powerhouses has huge playoff implications. The Astros, defending World Series champions, are battling for the top seed, while the Yankees are trying to secure home-field advantage in the postseason. Every at-bat, every pitch, carries immense weight. As the next offering from Neris approaches the plate, the Astros will need to execute their pitches much more carefully if they hope to escape the jam and preserve the tie. The outcome of this pivotal moment could shape the trajectory of both teams' seasons.