Masahiro Tanaka (12-7, 3.51 ERA) and the New York Yankees meet Dallas Keuchel (20-8, 2.48 ERA) and the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the Wild Card Elimination Game at Yankee Stadium. The game starts at 8:08 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 6 and will air on ESPN.
In his last start, Tanaka pitched 5.0 innings, allowing four runs, striking out three and walking one in a 9-5 loss to the Red Sox. The Astros were victorious over the Diamondbacks 21-5 the last time Keuchel pitched. He went 6.0 innings, giving up two runs, striking out three and walking two. Carlos Correa (.279, 52 Rs, 22 HRs, 68 RBIs, 14 SBs) went 1 for 4 Sunday with one stolen base.
New York is a slight underdog (+102) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at seven runs. When playing as the underdog, the Yankees have a 31-35 record and overall money line at -344. With a 0-1 record as the underdog, they have had a tough time over their last 10 games. New York has been struggling as of late. In the last 10 games, New York has only averaged 3.3 runs per game compared to the 4.7 it’s averaged on the season. The Yankees are a power hitting team with 212 home runs, one of the highest totals in the MLB. Below average play has been the norm lately for the New York pitchers. The Yankees have given up an average of 5.4 runs to opponents in their last 10 games, above their season average of 4.3 runs per game. They have been extremely effective at striking opposing batters out, averaging 8.5 strikeouts per game.
Switching to the opposing dugout, the Astros come into this game with a win percentage of .554 when playing as the favorite (56-45) and an overall money line of -295. The Astros rank third in the AL in road scoring, averaging four runs per game. The Astros are known for their bats, hitting 534 extra base hits. The Astros have racked up 121 steals on the year, making them one of the most threatening base-running teams in the league. Switching gears to Houston’s pitching staff, they have a WHIP of 1.20 on the year, good for fifth in the league.
The Astros have gotten the better of the Yankees in head-to-head matchups this season, going 4-3. The Yankees will take on a left-hander (Keuchel) in this game and have a 27-23 record against left-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Astros will be the right-hander Tanaka. They sport a 55-47 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – Hou, O/U – Over
Notes
The Yankees managed to give up six walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Astros who are coming in with an 11-4 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Astros are 14-53. The Yankees have a 20-60 record when opponents outhit them.
New York and Houston both rank in the top five of the league in home runs. New York sits at fourth with 212 home runs this season and Houston ranks second with 230.
Ranking 13th, Houston is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.41 per game. New York ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 8.62.
New York and Houston both rank in the top five of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. New York sits at fifth with an OPS of .747 and Houston ranks second with an OPS of .754.
When the Astros allow at least one home run, they are 35-54. When the Yankees allow one or more homers, they have a 43-60 record.
