The New York Yankees (+140) host the Houston Astros (-165) at Yankee Stadium on Saturday in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series with the visitors looking to build on their lead. The early total was set at 7 runs with the under a -120 favorite. The Astros lead the series 2-0 after winning 3-2 on Thursday, their fifth straight head-to-head victory and seventh in nine games this season.
Starter Framber Valdez got the win, giving up two runs (0 ER) on four hits over seven innings and striking out nine, and Ryan Pressly struck out the side in the ninth for his 36th save. Alex Bregman was 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs in the win. Martin Maldonado added one run on one hit and a walk. Aaron Judge went 1 for 4 with one run for the Yankees.
ON THE MOUND
Lance McCullers Jr. (4-2, 2.27 ERA) is in line to start for Houston. The RHP threw six scoreless innings in his last start, a 1-0 road win over the Mariners on October 15. He yielded two hits while striking out seven and walking two in the no-decision. McCullers Jr. is making his first appearance against the Yankees this season.
McCullers Jr. made one start against the Yankees in 2021, a 7-4 road victory on May 6. He surrendered three runs on six hits over six innings, striking out eight and walking four. For New York, righty Gerrit Cole (13-8, 3.50 ERA) is on the mound. He has made one prior start against the Astros this season, giving up one runs over seven innings in a 3-0 home defeat on June 25.
He gave up four hits and walked two, while striking out eight in the loss. In his last start on Sunday, Cole got the win on the road against the Guardians. He threw seven innings and gave up two runs on six hits, striking out eight and walking one in the 4-2 victory. The right-hander leads MLB in strikeouts (257).
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Houston has averaged 4.0 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.5. Against right-handed pitchers like Cole this season, the ‘Stros have a .726 OPS. Bregman is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a .881 OPS in 361 at-bats.
New York is averaging only 3.6 runs per game in the last five, down from 5.0 for the season, with their slash line falling across the board (.165/.219/.342). The Yanks have a .745 OPS against right-handers in 2022, fifth highest in the league. With a 1.142 OPS over 435 at-bats, Judge has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Houston is on a three-game winning streak in road games, bringing their record to 52-30 in 2022. The ‘Stros have scored 4.5 runs per game away from home, while allowing 3.2 runs. New York has gone 59-25 at Yankee Stadium this season, averaging 5.1 runs per game while surrendering 3.2.
In the last 10 meetings at Yankee Stadium, each club has won five, though Houston has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.1-3.9.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Astros won the AL West with a record of 106-56. The Yankees finished first in the AL East (99-63).
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Houston Astros (+120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
