2019 MLB – New York Yankees @ Houston Astros Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is New York Yankees @ Houston Astros taking place? Sunday 20th 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, 28c
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 4 – 1 Houston Astros
THE TEAM NEWS
NEW YORK YANKEES
- The Yankees had their backs against the wall heading into Game 5 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) following three straight losses against the Houston Astros. New York knew they needed to perform better and that’s exactly what they did, scoring more than three runs for the first time since Game 1 while allowing only one run against Houston’s high-powered offense. That said, the Yankees’ offense still needs to improve since they have averaged a paltry 3.4 runs per game in the ALCS.
- Starter C.C. Sabathia was removed from the ALCS roster prior to Game 5, and the veteran lefty already announced his retirement, so he threw the final pitch of his career in this series. He was replaced by Ben Heller, who threw only 7.1 innings this season. Giancarlo Stanton also returned to the lineup in Game 5 as he recovered from his quadriceps injury. One player to watch is Aaron Hicks – he reached base three times on Game 4, and he followed that effort with a three-run home run during Game 5.
- The Yankees have not announced who will pitch in Game 6 yet. Luis Severino has already been tabbed as the Game 7 starter, so the Yankees will probably announce what their pitching plans are just a few hours before the first pitch on Saturday.
HOUSTON ASTROS
- The Astros were 27 outs away from a second World Series trip in the last three years, but both the offense and the pitching failed to perform at Yankee Stadium. After notching just five hits and tallying just one run, both were their lowest totals since they were shutout in Game 1 of the ALCS. Despite having one of the best offenses in all of MLB during 2019, they looked a shade of that in Game 5.
- The Astros do not have injury concerns ahead of the ALCS but there is no question their offense must bounce back in Game 6. Jose Altuve is the player to watch here for Houston – the Venezuelan second baseman continues to thrive at the plate and, despite going 0-for-2 with two walks in Game 5, he is now hitting .316 with an .883 OPS in the ALCS.
- Manager A.J. Hinch already said the Astros will not have a typical starter for Game 6 and instead, it will be a bullpen game where they will probably give two or three innings to every pitcher. The reasoning behind this idea is to keep Gerrit Cole fresh for a potential Game 7 on Sunday.
THE PREDICTION
The Astros looked sluggish during Game 5 of the series, but they are expected to bounce back sooner rather than later. The Yankees have struggled badly during most of the series, and their average of 3.4 runs per game sits lower than their average of 5.79 (best in all of MLB) during the regular season. Pitching could be crucial ahead of this game, but the Astros are expected to secure the win here at home. This result would clinch them a spot in the 2019 World Series, where the Washington Nationals are already waiting for their opponent.
