Collin McHugh (8-3, 4.80 ERA) and Michael Pineda (8-4, 4.25 ERA) are on the hill in the last of a four-game series between the Houston Astros (43-34) and the New York Yankees (41-34) at Minute Maid Park. The Yankees won the last game 9-6 and New York leads the series 2-1. Action begins at 2:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Jun. 28 and can be seen on YES and ROOT-SW.
McHugh pitched 8.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering two runs, striking out six and walking one in a 13-3 win over the Angels. George Springer (.266, 40 Rs, 12 HRs, 27 RBIs, 13 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run and one RBI. Against the Astros, Pineda is 0-0 with a 3.00 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and three strikeouts. Brett Gardner (.300, 58 Rs, 9 HRs, 38 RBIs, 15 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Yankees, going 3 for 5 yesterday with three runs.
New York is a narrow -113 favorite over Houston. The matchup has an estimated Over/Under (O/U) of seven runs. The Astros have recorded an overall money line of +764 and have shown high-level performance as an underdog this season with a record of 23-15. Houston has gone 3-1 in its last 10 as underdog. The Astros have no trouble scoring as they rank fifth in the AL in offense with 4.4 runs per game. The Astros are one of the best in the MLB in terms of extra base hits with 253. Houston is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 61 bases. Turning to the pitchers, the Astros are the second-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.19 so far this season.
In games where it is the favorite, New York has a 23-17 record and an overall money line of -112. Offensively, the Yankees have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 4.8 runs per game by averaging 6.3 during that stretch. The Yankees can change the game with one swing of the bat, ranking second in the league with 102 home runs. The Yankees have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 8.4 strikeouts per game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
The Yankees lead the season series, 2-1. The Astros have a 27-17 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Pineda takes the mound. McHugh (RHP) will be on the hill against the Yankees, who have a 30-26 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – NYY, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Houston is 17-13, while New York is 19-21.
The Astros managed to give up seven walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Yankees who are coming in with a 4-0 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
It looks like the Yankees have a slight leg up on the Astros, as the Yankees have won their last two games while the Astros have lost their last two.
When they outhit their opponents, the Astros are 30-9. The Yankees have a 28-4 record when outhitting opponents.
Both falling in the top five of the league based on total runs this season, Houston ranks fourth with 343 runs and New York is second with 362.
Ranking sixth, Houston is in the top 10 of the league in walks, notching 241 this season. New York ranks in the top five at fourth with 244.
The Astros are 34-20 when they hit at least one home run. New York has the same record when hitting one or more homers.
