2019 MLB ALCS Game 2 – New York Yankees @ Houston Astros Preview & Pick

THE FACTS

When is New York Yankees @ Houston Astros taking place? Monday 13th October, 2019 – 01:08 (UK)

Where is New York Yankees @ Houston Astros taking place? Minute Maid Park

What is the expected weather for New York Yankees @ Houston Astros? Partly cloudy, 24c

What television channel is New York Yankees @ Houston Astros on? BT Sport 1 in the UK / FOX, FOX-INT in the US

Where can I stream New York Yankees @ Houston Astros? BT Sport subscribers can stream the match live via the BT Sport website or app in the UK / MLB.tv in the US

Where can I get tickets for New York Yankees @ Houston Astros? https://www.mlb.com/tickets/season-tickets

What was the outcome in the last meeting? New York Yankees 7 – 0 Houston Astros

THE TEAM NEWS

NEW YORK YANKEES

• The Yankees have had several days to rest and prepare for the American League Championship Series (ALCS) and they remain undefeated so far in the 2019 MLB playoffs, as they improved to 4-0 in the playoffs following a solid win over the Astros in Game 1 of the NLCS. Their offense has been their driving force thus far in the playoffs as the Yankees have averaged an impressive 7.5 runs per game so far.
  
• Aaron Hicks and C.C. Sabathia both made the ALCS roster and Aroldis Chapman recovered from his hand issue, so they shouldn’t have injury concerns ahead of Game 2. One player to watch is Gleyber Torres, as the All-Star infielder delivered an impressive effort in the first game of the ALCS going 3-for-5 with a home run and five RBI.
• The Yankees have tabbed James Paxton as the starter for Game 2 and the lefty enjoyed a great regular season where he posted a 15-6 record, a 3.82 ERA, and a 1.28 WHIP, but he allowed three runs in 4 2/3 innings during this lone postseason start in his career. He allowed six runs in two previous starts against the Astros during the 2019 regular season.

HOUSTON ASTROS

• The Astros had to fight with everything they had to get past the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Divisional Series (ALDS) and that effort was noticeable during Game 1 of the ALCS. Despite having one of the best offenses in all of MLB during 2019, the Astros only mustered three hits and no runs against the Yankees in Game 1. They will have their backs against the wall ahead of Game 2, and they cannot afford to go two down before the series moves to Yankee Stadium especially since they lost their two away games during the previous series against the Rays.
  
• The Astros do not have injury concerns ahead of the ALCS but there is no question their offense must bounce back in Game 2. Jose Altuve, Michael Brantley and Kyle Tucker were the only players who connected with hits during Game 1, so key figures such as Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez will be forced to deliver better results in Game 2 of the series.
• Justin Verlander will get the start on Game 2 for the Astros. He did not look like himself in his previous postseason start albeit that was on short rest. Regardless of that hiccup, Verlander was one of the best pitchers in the American League during the 2019 regular season (21-6, 2.58 ERA, 300 strikeouts) and he also has a 2.92 ERA in his playoff career.

THE PREDICTION

The Astros looked sluggish during Game 1 of the series, but they are expected to bounce back. Considering Justin Verlander will be on the mound, the fact that James Paxton struggled in his previous start against the Astros at Minute Maid Park (allowed five runs in 4.0 innings of work) and the Astros’ deep lineup, Houston should be able to bounce back and secure a comfortable win in Game 2 of the ALCS.