Astros vs NY Yankees MLB Prediction, Odds & Best Bet Game Preview

Astros vs NY Yankees | MLB Prediction, Odds & Best Bet Game Preview

Written by on June 23, 2022

It’s a potential American League playoff preview and arguably the series of the weekend starting Thursday night when the AL West-leading Houston Astros visit the AL East-leading New York Yankees in an excellent pitching matchup. The Yanks are favored on the MLB odds.

How to Bet Astros at Yankees MLB Odds & TV Info

Why Bet on Houston?

The Astros come off an impressive two-game home sweep of the Mets early this week. In Wednesday’s 5-3 win, Yordan Alvarez homered twice. Alvarez, who also homered Tuesday night, now has 21 this season to move into a tie with Mike Trout for second-most in the majors. His home run barrage in this series comes after he missed Sunday’s game with a minor hand injury. The 24-year-old Alvarez leads all players with a 1.064 OPS and has hit nine homers in his last 20 games. Alvarez also leads the AL in hard hit percentage (62.9%), meaning almost two of every three balls he hits are 95 mph or harder.

Second baseman Jose Altuve, a seven-time All-Star, is making a bid for another as he leads all AL second basemen in OPS (.864) and OBP (.346), while ranking tied for first in homers (13) and second in SLG (.517).

Infielder Aledmys Diaz was out of the lineup for a third consecutive game as he continues to deal with left shoulder soreness but he was OK to pinch-hit as needed to he might be able to play Thursday. Houston is without starting shortstop Jeremy Pena, an AL Rookie of the Year candidate as he’s on the injured list with a thumb injury. The 24-year-old doesn’t have a clear timetable for a return at this moment. He has slashed .277/.333/.471 with nine home runs, six stolen bases, 27 RBI and 27 runs over 54 games this year.

The Astros bullpen ERA of 2.59 is the best in the majors. The pen also leads the majors in save percentage (81.8%) and HR per 9.0 IP ratio (0.54), while ranking second in opponent average (.206) and third in WHIP (1.11).

Lefty Framber Valdez (7-3, 2.78 ERA) will start on the mound Thursday. Valdez was charged with three runs over six innings last Friday in a win over the White Sox. Valdez allowed eight hits and fanned seven. After throwing two scoreless innings to begin his start, AJ Pollock hit his first-pitch sinker out of the ballpark for a three-run home run in the top of the third.

The 28-year-old has completed six innings in 11 of his 13 starts. He has recorded a quality start in each of his last 10 starts, which is the longest quality start streak by an Astros pitcher since RHP Justin Verlander recorded a 14-game streak from April 9-June 19, 2018.

Valdez is 0-1 with an 8.59 ERA in two career starts vs. New York.

Why Bet on NY Yankees?

New York is in a stretch of 20 straight games without an off day. The Yankees’ 19 comeback wins are tied with San Francisco for the second-most in the Majors this season, trailing only San Diego (20). Of the Yankees’ 18 losses this season, 15 have been decided by 3R-or-fewer. Twelve of their 18 losses have been decided by 2R-or-fewer and six have been decided by one run. The Yankees own a 21-9 record against teams that currently have a record of .500-or-better, the best such record in the Majors.

Gleyber Torres is batting .350/.422/.725 (14-for-40) with nine extra-base hits (6 doubles, 3HR) over his last 11 games. He has recorded multiple hits in five of those games, including a career-high-tying three straight games from 6/17-19. Torres has eight multi-hit games over his last 18 games and 13 multi-hit games over his last 35 games.

Closer Aroldis Chapman (Achilles) is set to begin a minor league rehab assignment this weekend with Double-A Somerset. Chapman made it through a live batting practice session Tuesday at the Yankees’ spring training complex in Florida and has now gotten clearance for actual competition. The veteran reliever has been sidelined since late May due to Achilles tendinitis and was struggling prior to the IL stint. Clay Holmes is currently serving as the primary closer for New York.

Speaking of relievers, since being recalled on May 21, Ron Marinaccio has tossed 12.0 scoreless innings over nine relief appearances (1H, 6BB, 13K, 3HP). He has allowed just one hit, posting a .027 opponents’ batting average.

It’s Jameson Taillon (8-1) on the mound here. Taillon blanked the Blue Jays over 5 2/3 innings and picked up the win on Saturday.  Taillon struck out eight, gave up four hits and issued one walk. The right-hander did have to deal with some traffic, but for the most part was outstanding against one of the best lineups in the majors. Taillon has a 2.70 ERA in 73 1/3 innings. Taillon is 4-0 with a 2.15 ERA (37.2IP, 9ER) and 33K over his last six starts.

Game Trends

  • Astros are 8-2 in their last 10 road games.
  • Astros are 22-6 in their last 28 Thursday games.
  • Astros are 2-6 in their last 8 games as an underdog.
  • Yankees are 5-0 in their last 5 Thursday games.
  • Yankees are 38-13 in their last 51 during game 1 of a series.
  • Astros are 5-11 in the last 16 meetings in New York.

Expert Prediction: Yankees 4, Astros 3

  

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