Ivan Nova (5-5, 3.72 ERA) and Dallas Keuchel (14-6, 2.37 ERA) start in the second of a three-game series between the New York Yankees (69-55) and the Houston Astros (69-57) at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees won the last game 1-0 and New York leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 7:05 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Aug. 25 and can be seen on YES, RTSW and MLBN.
Nova pitched 5.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering three runs, striking out four and walking two in a 3-2 defeat to the Indians. Keuchel went 7.0 innings, surrendering two runs, striking out five and walking one in a 3-2 defeat to the Rays in his most recent start. Carlos Correa (.282, 35 Rs, 15 HRs, 43 RBIs, 11 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Astros, going 2 for 4 yesterday.
Houston takes on New York as a -128 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at eight runs. The Yankees have an overall money line of +191 and a record as the underdog of 25-26. The Yankees are one of the best in the MLB in terms of home runs with 164. As for the pitchers, opponents have consistently been struck out by the Yankees, who rank second in the AL in strikeouts per game with 8.4.
In games where it is the favorite, Houston has a 40-29 record and an overall money line of +792. Offensively, the Astros have really sputtered in the last 10 games. They have decreased their season average of 4.3 runs per game by averaging 3.0 during that stretch. The Astros can change the game with one swing of the bat, leading the league with 169 home runs. The Astros are an excellent base stealing team with 95 stolen bases, ranking third in the MLB. The Astros allow 3.6 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 2.7 runs per game during that span. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Astros are one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.18 for the season.
The Yankees lead the season series, 3-2. The Yankees have a great 22-13 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Keuchel takes the mound. Nova (RHP) will be on the hill against the Astros, who have a 44-36 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Hou, O/U – Over
Notes
New York won its last game in a shutout, its second of the season. Houston has been shut out eight times this season.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Yankees are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Astros have a 22-2 record in games where opponents scored that many runs or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Yankees are 13-43. The Astros have a 13-42 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking first in home runs, Houston has hit 169 this season. New York ranks third with 164 home runs.
Ranking 15th, Houston is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.02 per game. New York ranks in the top five at fifth with 8.76.
Ranking 12th, Houston is in the top half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.724). New York ranks in the top five at fourth with an OPS of .752.
When the Astros allow at least one home run, they are 24-38. When the Yankees allow one or more homers, they have a 34-42 record.
