Astros' Dusty Baker doesn't worry about Yankees in spring training

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker somewhat borrowed from the "Mad Men" television series when he indicated Tuesday he doesn't think about the New York Yankees at all in March. 

"I worry about them Yankees when I get there," Baker declared, according to Dan Martin of the New York Post. 

The supposed "rivalry" between the Astros and Yankees has been well-documented and also one-sided as it pertains to the most important games. Specifically, New York has lost to Houston in the playoffs three times since the fall of 2017. The Astros swept the Yankees in the American League Championship Series last October.

As Martin noted, one Yankees team official recently said that "we’re good enough to win 100 games" but "have to beat the Astros." 

Baker insisted he doesn't have the Yankees yet on his radar because he doesn't want to "look over too many people and especially people in our division." Specifically, he said Houston must first concentrate on getting past the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers. Baker added the Astros also have "got to pay attention to" a hungry Los Angeles Angels team.

Houston finished the 2022 regular season atop the AL West standings and 16 games ahead of Seattle. 

Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino made it known last week he doesn't "hate" the Astros even though Houston's ALCS wins over New York in 2017 and 2019 have been linked by many with the Astros' infamous sign-stealing scandal. Baker somewhat brushed the Bronx Bombers off on the final day of February. 

"They can look at us if they want to," he said of the Yankees. "We look at our immediate [concerns]. You’ve got to get out of your division first. Some guys [on the team] might [look at the Yankees], but I’m not. I worry about them Yankees when I get there."

According to OddsChecker, the Astros began March as the betting favorites to win the World Series at +650. The Yankees were right behind them at +750, followed by the New York Mets at +800. 

Don't be surprised if some within the Yankees use Baker's words as spring training bulletin-board material.