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

THE FACTS

When is Houston Astros @ New York Yankees taking place? Tuesday 15th October, 2019 – 21:08 (UK)

Where is Houston Astros @ New York Yankees taking place? Yankee Stadium

What is the expected weather for Houston Astros @ New York Yankees? Sunny, 17c

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

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

What was the outcome in the last meeting? Houston Astros 3 – 2 New York Yankees

THE TEAM NEWS

HOUSTON ASTROS

• The Astros were coming off a disappointing performance in Game 1 of the ALDS, but they woke up at the perfect time to get past the Yankees in Game 2 of the Series – the game was decided on extra innings thanks to a 11th inning, walk-off home run by Carlos Correa. Despite having one of the best offenses in all of MLB during 2019, the Astros have not looked very good in the postseason when it comes to scoring production since they have averaged only 4.4 runs per game. The moment of truth comes now for the Astros. They lost their two away games in the NLDS against the Tampa Bay Rays, and they are forced to take something away from Yankee Stadium to avoid elimination.
  
• The Astros do not have injury concerns ahead of the ALCS and while Carlos Correa hit a clutch home run on extra innings in Game 2, some of the other bats are yet to wake up in the series. Yordan Alvarez and Alex Bregman have combined for just one hit so far in both games, but Jose Altuve has bounced back and went 2-for-4 on Monday. He is hitting for .429 so far in then ALDS.
• Gerrit Cole will get the start in Game 3 for the Astros. The star right-hander certified his place as one of the best pitchers in MLB during an epic ALDS performance against the Rays, where he won both games, allowing just one run and notching 25 strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings. He has struck out at least 10 batters in each of his past 11 straight starts dating back to the regular season.

NEW YORK YANKEES

• The Yankees couldn’t close things out in Game 2 of the ALCS and had to settle for a two-game split at Minute Maid Park, but still have the advantage ahead of the rest of the series. With three straight games at Yankee Stadium – where they posted a 57-24 mark during the regular season and also won their two games in the NLDS – the Yankees know all they have to do to reach the World Series for the first time since 2009 is win their remaining three games at home. Their offense has been clicking during the playoffs, as the Yankees currently average 6.4 runs per game in five postseason contests.
  
• As stated ahead of Game 2, Aaron Hicks and C.C. Sabathia both made the ALCS roster and Aroldis Chapman recovered from his hand issue, so the Yankees don’t have injury concerns for the time being. Gleyber Torres has been the Yankees’ driving force during the ALCS so far, going 4-for-10 with five RBI in two games thus far. Aaron Judge looked good in Game 2 as well, driving both of New York’s runs with a two-run home run off Justin Verlander.
• The Yankees have indicated Luis Severino will be the Game 3 starter. The Dominican ace spent most of the 2019 season dealing with several injuries but he managed to return just in time for the regular season and he has looked excellent during the playoff run. However, Severino has had mighty struggles during the playoffs in his career since he owns a 5.33 playoff ERA in seven starts, despite posting a 1.50 ERA in six starts during the 2019 regular season.

THE PREDICTION

The Astros looked far better in Game 2 of the series and if they have a realistic shot at winning a game at Yankee Stadium, it will be Game 3 with Gerrit Cole on the mound. However, New York’s offense has looked impressive during the postseason and that should be noticeable back home where they average 9.0 runs per game in two contests. Cole hasn’t faced a lineup such as the Yankees, so New York should be slightly favoured ahead of this contest.