New York Yankees vs. Houston Astros Game 2 Picks, Predictions, Odds

The New York Yankees and Houston Astros meet Thursday for Game 2 of the ALCS. First pitch is scheduled for 7:37 PM ET at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas and can be viewed on TBS.  

Updated on 12/23/2024

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NEW YORK YANKEES vs. HOUSTON ASTROS BETTING PREDICTION

The Yankees dropped Game 1 of this series after a quick turnaround from their series against the Guardians. They managed to put the first run on the board, but this well-rested Astros team was too much to handle for nine innings. New York’s offense finished the game with five hits, two runs, and went 0-for-4 with runners scoring position (RISP). Its only runs scored came via solo home runs by Anthony Rizzo and Harrison Bader. Starting pitcher Jameson Taillon gave up four hits and one run in 4 1/3 innings of work. The Yankees used four other members of their bullpen who gave up a combined three hits and four runs in 3 2/3 innings. RHP Luis Severino (7-3, 3.18 ERA) is scheduled to take the mound Thursday.  

The Astros managed to take Game 1 with a final score of 4-2. Houston gave the Yankees a taste of their own medicine with three solo home runs. The offense finished the day with seven hits, four runs, and went 0-for-4 with RISP. Aside from the solo shots, a two-out RBI in the bottom of the 2nd was the only other run scored. Starting pitcher Justin Verlander allowed three hits and one run in 6 innings. Verlander put himself in a couple of sticky situations but did an impressive job pitching out of them. The other three pitchers used gave up a combined two hits and one run in 3.0 innings. LHP Framber Valdez (17-7, 2.82 ERA) is expected to start Game 2.  

We should have an even matchup on the mound in Game 2, but Houston will have the home crowd and didn’t have to overextend its bullpen on Wednesday. I like the Astros to win Game 2 for these reasons, and the Yankees offense has yet to impress me in the postseason. Back Houston on the money-line.

Score Prediction: Astros 4, Yankees 3
Best Bet: Astros ML (-152)

NEW YORK YANKEES vs. HOUSTON ASTROS BETTING ODDS

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NEW YORK YANKEES vs. HOUSTON ASTROS BETTING RESOURCES

• Date: Thursday, October 20, 2022
• Matchup: AL East vs. AL West
• Venue: Minute Maid Park
• Location: Houston, Texas
• Time-TV: 7:37 p.m. ET – TBS
• Expert Picks

NEW YORK YANKEES BETTING ANALYSIS

New York is 3-3 SU and 3-3 ATS this postseason. The total has gone under in six of the Yankees last eight games. Following this trend, the total has gone under in seven of their last 10 games played on the road. The Yankees are 1-6 SU in their past seven games against the Astros and 1-5 SU in their past six games when playing on the road against Houston.  

Blame it on the quick turnaround if you’d like but the Yankees offensive struggles continued in Game 1. Almost no small ball is being played and the majority of runs scored are coming off solo home runs. As a team, New York has a postseason batting average of .176, on-base percentage of .264, slugging percentage of .369, and have scored 22 runs. It struck out 17 times Wednesday night and things will be no easier against Valdez. Rizzo has been the most productive Yankee this postseason, batting 6-for-19 (.316) with two home runs and five RBIs.  

New York’s bullpen has been pitching well this postseason with a team ERA of 3.00. They struggled a bit in Game 1, but at the same time this explosive offense should put up more than two runs. Severino will start Thursday and saw the Astros twice this season. During those two outings he gave up a combined eight hits and five runs in 12 innings. Severino has made one start this postseason and allowed eight hits and three runs in 5 2/3 innings of work.  

HOUSTON ASTROS BETTING ANALYSIS

The Astros enter this matchup 4-0 SU and 2-2 ATS this postseason. The total has gone under in seven of their last nine games. Following this trend, the total has gone under in five of their last seven games against the Yankees. Houston is 7-1 SU in its past eight games at home and 5-1 SU in its past six games when playing at home against New York. 

Houston’s offense was not super productive in Game 1, but three solo bombs and an RBI double is enough when Verlander is slinging the ball. Also, the Astros struck out just two times which is no easy task regardless of who you are facing. As a team the Astros have a postseason batting average of .220, on-base percentage of .287, slugging percentage of .434 and have scored 17 runs. Jeremy Pena went 3-for-4 with a home run Wednesday, and he has been having a breakout postseason, batting 7-for-20 (.350) with two home runs and two RBIs. Jose Altuve’s struggles continued, as he went 0-for-3, and the All-Star is still hitless in these playoffs.  

Verlander managed to bounce back against the Yankees with 11 strikeouts after a poor outing against the Mariners in the ALDS. As a team, the Astros have an ERA of 2.75 this postseason. Valdez will get his second start this postseason after giving up four hits and two runs in 5 2/3 innings to the Mariners in the ALDS. In his one regular-season outing against the Yankees, Valdez went 6 innings while giving up two hits and three runs.  

KEY PLAYERS

• NYY: Aaron Judge - OF (Game 1: 0-for-4, K)
• NYY: Giancarlo Stanton - OF (Game 1: 2-for-4, 2B)
• HOU: Yordan Alvarez - OF (Game 1: 0-for-2, 2 BB, K
• HOU: Jose Altuve - 2B (Game 1: 0-for-3, BB, K, Throwing Error)

PROBABLE PITCHERS

• NYY: Luis Severino - RHP (0-0, 4.76 ERA, 6 K, 5 2/3 IP in 1 Postseason start)
• HOU: Framber Valdez - LHP (0-0, 3.18 ERA, 6 K, 5 2/3 IP in 1 Postseason start)