Houston (2-1) at NY Yankees (1-2)
When: Thursday, October 17th 2019
Where: Yankee Stadium,
Bronx, New York
Time: 8:08 ET | TV: FS1
Opening Odds: New York -124/8
Wednesday’s postponement of Game 4 of the American League Championship Series was probably a blessing for both teams, but even more so for the New York Yankees. The teams were prepared to have a bullpen battle before rain in the New York area canceled the game, giving both teams the chance to throw their Game 1 starters on Thursday. The Yankees are suddenly down 2-1 after a dominating effort in the series opener, and hope to have that same success with Masahiro Tanaka on the mound against Zack Greinke. The Yankees led the majors in runs scored during the regular season, but have only three over the last 20 innings while leaving 16 runners on base. Gary Sanchez is one guy New York needs to start hitting after going 1-for-13 with six strikeouts thus far in the series. Gleyber Torres launched his third homer of the postseason in Tuesday’s 4-1 loss and now has 10 RBI. Former MVP Jose Altuve hit his fourth homer on Tuesday to get the scoring started and is 12-for-32 with six runs scored and six RBI, while hitting safely in all eight games. Left fielder Michael Brantley is 6-for-16 in the last four games after going 2-for-16 in the first four games of the playoffs for Houston.
Pitchers: Astros – Zack Greinke (0-2, 8.38 ERA) | Yankees – Masahiro Tanaka (2-0, 0.82)
The Astros didn’t acquire Greinke for what he has produced thus far in the postseason. The veteran righty gave up three runs over six innings in the Game 1 loss and has allowed five homers in two postseason starts. Greinke, who went 8-1 with 3.02 ERA in 10 starts with Houston during the regular season, is now 3-6 in 13 postseason starts.
Tanaka has been New York’s go-to-guy in the postseason and improved to 5-2 with a 1.32 ERA lifetime after limiting Houston to one hit over six scoreless innings in Game 1 after allowing one run across five innings with seven strikeouts against Minnesota in the ALDS. He is 2-2 with a 1.50 ERA against Houston in the playoffs and allowed just three runs over 12 innings against them during the regular season.
This is a game the Yankees absolutely must have. Tanaka is the one pitcher on this Yankees starting staff that I trust in the postseason, while Greinke has proved nothing in big-game situations. Look for a similar result like we got in Game 1 and the Yankees will even this series.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free MLB Picks page for Thursday. He finished 135-95 +2686 units in the regular season!
Pick: Yankees -125
BETTING TRENDS:
Astros are 9-3 in their last 12 road games.
Astros are 51-18 in their last 69 games on grass.
Astros are 53-21 in their last 74 overall.
Astros are 35-17 in their last 52 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Astros are 4-9 in their last 13 League Championship road games.
Astros are 2-5 in their last 7 League Championship games.
Astros are 4-1 in Greinke’s last 5 starts on grass.
Astros are 1-4 in Greinke’s last 5 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Yankees are 41-11 in their last 52 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Yankees are 54-18 in their last 72 home games.
Yankees are 9-3 in their last 12 playoff home games.
Yankees are 60-21 in their last 81 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Yankees are 11-4 in their last 15 Thursday games.
Yankees are 8-3 in their last 11 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Yankees are 61-26 in their last 87 games on grass.
Yankees are 2-5 in their last 7 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Yankees are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. American League West.
Yankees are 1-4 in their last 5 during game 7 of a series.
Yankees are 1-4 in their last 5 League Championship games.
Yankees are 8-2 in Tanaka’s last 10 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Yankees are 16-5 in Tanaka’s last 21 starts on grass.
Yankees are 6-2 in Tanaka’s last 8 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Yankees are 19-7 in Tanaka’s last 26 home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Yankees are 19-7 in Tanaka’s last 26 starts.
Yankees are 43-17 in Tanaka’s last 60 home starts.
Yankees are 5-2 in Tanaka’s last 7 starts vs. American League West.
Under is 4-0-1 in Astros last 5 overall.
Under is 4-0-1 in Astros last 5 on grass.
Under is 4-0-1 in Astros last 5 playoff games.
Under is 4-0-1 in Astros last 5 vs. American League East.
Under is 3-0-1 in Astros last 4 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 4-0 in Astros last 4 League Championship games.
Under is 4-0-1 in Astros last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 4-1 in Astros last 5 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 11-4-1 in Astros last 16 road games.
Under is 6-0 in Greinke’s last 6 starts with 4 days of rest.
Under is 5-1 in Greinke’s last 6 road starts.
Under is 7-3 in Greinke’s last 10 starts on grass.
Under is 4-0 in Yankee’s last 4 overall.
Under is 4-0 in Yankee’s last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 4-0 in Yankee’s last 4 on grass.
Under is 4-0 in Yankee’s last 4 playoff games.
Under is 4-0 in Yankee’s last 4 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 4-0 in Yankee’s last 4 League Championship games.
Under is 15-5-1 in Yankee’s last 21 vs. American League West.
Under is 8-3-1 in Yankee’s last 12 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Over is 5-2 in Yankee’s last 7 Thursday games.
Over is 7-3 in Yankee’s last 10 playoff home games.
Over is 6-1 in Tanaka’s last 7 Thursday starts.
Over is 4-1 in Tanaka’s last 5 starts overall.
Under is 4-1 in Tanaka’s last 5 starts vs. American League West.
Over is 7-2-1 in Tanaka’s last 10 starts with 4 days of rest.
Under is 9-4-1 in Tanaka’s last 14 home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Yankees are 4-1 in Tanaka’s last 5 starts vs. Astros.
Astros are 3-8 in the last 11 meetings in New York.
