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The New York Yankees (3-0) and Houston Astros (0-3) meet Sunday as they close out a 4-game season-opening series at Minute Maid Park. First pitch will be at 2:10 p.m. ET (ESPN+). 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: Yankees lead 3-0
New York has won the 1st 3 games of this series, winning all 3 in come-from-behind fashion. The Yankees are 3-0 to start a season for the 1st time since 2003.
The Astros led Saturday’s game but failed to get clutch hits to extend what was an early 2-0 lead. For the series, Houston is just 5 of 31 (.161) with runners in scoring position.
Yankees at Astros projected starters
RHP Clarke Schmidt vs. RHP JP France
Schmidt went 9-9 with a 4.64 ERA in 2023. He registered a 1.35 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 8.4 K/9 in 159 innings.
- Career vs. Astros: No-decision, 5 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 4 K in 1 start, a 4-3 home loss Aug. 3, 2023
- Pitched 17 innings in Grapefruit League play, posting a 3.18 ERA and 19 K against 4 BB
France went 11-6 with a 3.83 ERA last season. He notched a 1.36 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 6.7 K/9 across 136 1/3 IP.
- Career vs. Yankees: Win, 3 1/3 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 3 H, 3 BB, 4 K in 1 relief appearance, a 9-7 road victory Aug. 6, 2023
- Logged a 4.52 ERA at home, allowing a .782 OPS (vs. 3.11 ERA, .688 OPS on the road)
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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 1:15 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Yankees +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Astros -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Yankees +1.5 (-190) | Astros -1.5 (+155)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Yankees at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Yankees 6, Astros 4
Moneyline
Dating back to last season, New York has won 6 in a row against Houston.
The starter match-up offers up 2 pitchers whose surface numbers somewhat belied broader based skill indicators. Peg France as being a bit too far out over his skis with an ERA boosted by low batting average on balls in play figures in key situations (.274 with RISP, for example). Schmidt’s numbers swung the other way (example: undone by a .330 BABIP in inning-lead-off situations).
YANKEES (+110) has value in the series finale.
Run line/Against the spread
The run line tags are separated by a sea of juice. PASS.
Over/Under
The O/U is 0-2-1 in this series, and all 3 games have been close to the total.
With OF Juan Soto looking sharp early (6 for 12, double, home run, 3 RBIs, 3 walks), the New York offense is looking more dangerous than it did last season when the Yankees ranked 25th in MLB with 4.15 runs per game.
Bullpen options are a little bit on tilt and more exposed after earlier appearances in this long series.
BACK THE OVER 9.5 (-110).
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