Can Stumbling Astros Defy Odds in Visit to Yankees?
The Houston Astros and New York Yankees came into the season as two of the top contenders in the American League. The Yankees have taken care of business with the third-best record in the American League after a weekend sweep of the Detroit Tigers. The Astros, meanwhile, are 7½ games out of the final playoff spot.
The Yankees have won seven games in a row against the Astros, including a four-game sweep to open the season. Three of those games have been decided by one run. Just one of the last seven games between the teams finished over the MLB against the spread picks total.
The MLB betting line has the Yankees favored to win the series opener and take the series as well against the struggling Astros.
When looking at MLB futures odds, New York is tied at +325 and Houston is tied for second at +450 in the odds of winning the American League pennant.
Astros vs Yankees Series Information
- Game: Astros (12-22) vs Yankees (23-13)
- Date/Time: Tuesday-Wednesday, 7:05 p.m. ET; Thursday, 5:05 p.m. ET
- Location: Yankee Stadium, New York, NY
- Astros vs Yankees Live Stream: MLB.tv
Starting Pitching Matchups: Verlander vs Gil in Game 1
Justin Verlander is set to make his second start in New York since being traded from the New York Mets in August. In his first start with the Astros, he allowed two runs in seven innings. Tuesday will be his fourth start of the season. He will be opposed by 25-year-old Luis Gil in the series opener. Gil allowed two hits and no runs in 6 ⅓ innings in his last start. Gil pitched in one game over the last two seasons.
Luis Gil, Nasty 90mph Changeup. 👌 pic.twitter.com/JdZ3xOmgnU
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 1, 2024
Houston turns to 24-year-old Spencer Arrighetti in Wednesday’s game. He allowed four hits and two runs in his last start.
New York’s Carlos Rodon, a 31-year-old lefty, will pitch against the Astros for the second time this season. He surrendered five hits and one run in 4 1⁄3 innings in the second game of the season.
In the series finale, Ronel Blanco gets the ball for the Astros. He has allowed four home runs over the last three starts but he is still among the American League leaders with a 2.09 ERA.
Yankees projected starter Marcus Stroman gave up one run despite walking five batters in 5⅓ innings in his most recent outing.
Can Bregman, Diaz, Pena Save the Day with Player Prop Bets?
There are plenty of reasons why the Houston Astros are sitting at the bottom of the American League West Division. Houston’s 1-8 record in one-run games is a major issue.
It all started in the season opener against the Yankees when the Astros failed to hold onto a four-run lead. Houston faded late the last time out with a home run by Cal Raleigh in the top of the ninth inning to lead the Seattle Mariners to a 5-4 win.
The Astros are batting just .226 with 31 hits and 31 strikeouts with runners in scoring position and two outs this season. The numbers would be even worse if not for Alex Bregman (.333), Yainer Diaz (.313) and Jeremy Pena (.294) continuing to deliver. They could be options in the player prop bets in this series.
The total has gone under in eight of Houston’s last 11 games against American League teams.
From Worst to First in MLB Starting ERA?
Even without Gerrit Cole, the improvement in the outings from New York’s starting pitchers has been a key in the early portion of the season.
The Yankees were 18th in the majors last year with a 4.44 ERA from their starting pitchers.
That number has dropped to 3.46 this season. That is eighth in the majors and fifth in the American League.
Marcus Stroman, Clarke Schmidt and Nestor Cortes combined to allow 10 hits and six runs with 19 strikeouts in 16.2 innings in a three-game sweep over the Tigers.
Six of the last seven games for the Yankees against American League West teams went under the total.
Betting Trends
- The total went under in four of the last five games between the Astros and the Yankees.
- The Yankees are 16-8 as the favorite.
- Houston has split its four games this season as the underdog.
- The Yankees are 6-10 against the run line at home but the Astros have covered in just six of 15 road games.
- Only four of Houston’s 15 road games landed over the total.
- The Yankees are 18-7 when facing a right-handed starting pitcher.
- Twelve of Houston’s last 17 games went under the total.
Astros vs Yankees Injury Update
Outfielder Chas McCormick is on the injured list for the Astros, as are relief pitchers Penn Penn Murfee, Oliver Ortega and Bennett Sousa.
Infielder DJ LeMahieu and pitcher Nick Burdi are out for the Yankees.
Bet Online on Astros vs Yankees Offensive Explosion
Heading to Yankee Stadium for a three-game series might not be the best way for the Astros to find what is ailing them. Houston has lost five of its last eight series.
Heading in Monday’s action, the Yankees are fourth and the Astros are tied for seventh in the majors in home runs.
It might be a surprise to some who bet online that the Astros have a better OPS mark than the Yankees.
There is no rain in the forecast for the series opener but the weather might be an issue later in the series.
Questions of the Day
Which team has a better ATS record going into Tuesday's series opener, the Astros or the Yankees?
The Yankees are 17-19 against the run line with the Astros posting a 13-21 ATS mark.
What are good player prop options for the Yankees and the Astros in Tuesday's series opener?
Houston’s Jose Altuve is batting .346 with three stolen bases in his last six games. Aaron Judge of the Yankees was 4-for-6 with a double and two home runs in his last two games.
