Free MLB Picks Today For Championship Series Game 4: New York Yankees vs Houston Astros 10/23/22

Free MLB Picks Today For Championship Series Game 4: New York Yankees vs Houston Astros 10/23/22
Sun 23rd October 2022

The New York Yankees (+180) host the Houston Astros (-220) at Yankee Stadium on Sunday in Game 4 with the visitors in position to sweep the American League Championship Series. Expect a low-scoring affair with the early total at 6.5 (O: -120 | U: +100).

The Astros lead the series 3-0 after winning 5-0 on Saturday, their sixth straight head-to-head victory and eighth in 10 games this season. Starter Cristian Javier threw 5.1 scoreless innings to get the win. Chas McCormick was 1 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs in the win. Harrison Bader went 1 for 3 for the Yankees.

ON THE MOUND

Lance McCullers Jr. (4-2, 2.27 ERA) is slated for the start for Houston. The RHP threw six scoreless innings in his last start, a 1-0 home 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.

Left-hander Nestor Cortes (12-4, 2.44 ERA) will take the mound for New York. He has made one prior start against the Astros this season, giving up three runs over five innings in a 6-3 home win on June 26. He gave up five hits and walked two, while striking out seven in the no-decision. In his last start on Tuesday, Cortes got the win at home against the Guardians. He threw five innings and gave up one run on three hits, striking out two and walking one in the 5-1 victory.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Houston has averaged only 3.4 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.5, while slashing worse across the board (.205/.261/.378). Against southpaws like Cortes this season, the ‘Stros have a .783 OPS, second highest in the league. Jose Altuve is the team’s most potent producer against left-handers with a 1.086 OPS in 141 at-bats.

New York is averaging only 2.6 runs per game in the last five, down from 5.0 for the season, with their slash line falling across the board (.155/.225/.277). The Yanks have a .745 OPS against righties in 2022, fifth highest in the league. With a 1.142 OPS over 435 at-bats, Aaron Judge has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Houston is on a four-game winning streak on the road, bringing their record to 53-30 in 2022. The ‘Stros have scored 4.5 runs per game away from home, while allowing 3.2 runs. New York has gone 59-26 at their home park this season, averaging 5.1 runs per game while surrendering 3.2. The teams have split their last 10 games head-to-head at Yankee Stadium, though Houston has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.2-3.8.

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 (+105)

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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.

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