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The New York Yankees (65-69) open a 3-game series against the Houston Astros (77-58) on Friday at Minute Maid Park. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET (Prime Video). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Yankees vs. Astros odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: tied 2-2
The Yankees lost 4-3 to the Detroit Tigers on Thursday in the 10th inning, snapping a 3-game win streak. New York is 5-5 in its last 10 games and is in last place in the AL East and 10 1/2 games out of an AL Wild Card.
The Astros defeated the Boston Red Sox 7-4 Wednesday to extend their win streak to 5 games. Houston has won 7 of its last 10 contests and is tied with the Seattle Mariners for 1st place in the AL West.
Yankees at Astros projected starters
LHP Carlos Rodon vs. RHP Justin Verlander
Rodon (1-4, 5.97 ERA) makes his 9th start. He has a 1.41 WHIP, 4.8 BB/9 and 7.9 K/9 through 37 2/3 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 4 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 7 K in 7-4 road loss vs. Tampa Bay Rays Sunday
- 2023 road stats: 0-2, 7.71 ERA (14 IP, 12 ER) in 3 starts
- Career vs. Astros: 2-0, 2.39 ERA (49 IP, 13 ER) in 8 starts
- Last start vs. Astros: No-decision, 2 2/3 IP, 5 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K in 9-7 home loss on Aug. 6
Verlander (10-6, 3.06 ERA) makes his 22nd start. He has a 1.17 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 8.0 K/9 through 123 1/3 IP for the Astros and New York Mets.
- Last start: Win, 5 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 7 K in a 17-4 road victory over the Tigers Sunday
- 2023 home stats: 6-3, 2.27 ERA (67 1/3 IP, 17 ER) in 11 starts
- Career vs. Yankees: 10-8, 3.21 ERA (165 1/3 IP, 59 ER) in 26 starts.
- Last start vs. Yankees: Loss, 7 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 4 K in 3-1 road loss on Aug. 5 with Astros
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Yankees at Astros odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:21 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Yankees +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Astros -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Yankees +1.5 (-120) | Astros -1.5 (+100)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
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Yankees at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 6, Yankees 3
Moneyline
With how the Yankees have been performing this season, the Astros should cruise to a win with Verlander on the mound. That being said, I’ll PASS on the moneyline in this matchup as it’s not advised to wager on Houston at nearly -200 odds.
Run line/Against the spread
ASTROS -1.5 (+100) is the play in this contest with Houston being the superior squad right now. Houston has won by multiple runs in each game during its 5-game win streak, outscoring opponents 52-17.
Over/Under
BET OVER 8.5 (-120).
While Verlander has looked solid since returning to the Astros, Houston has been crushing left-handed pitching in recent months. The Astros have the 2nd-best ISO (.235), the best wOBA (.389), and the best wRC+ (.151) against southpaws since the beginning of July.
Houston is also 8-2 to the Over in its last 10 games overall.
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