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NY Yankees at Houston ALCS Game 2 Odds & MLB Pick

NY Yankees at Houston ALCS Game 2 Odds & MLB Pick

Written by on October 14, 2017

MLB News and Betting Previews| Xbet.ag
The New York Yankees and the Houston Astros tangle on Saturday afternoon in the second game of the 2017 American League Championship Series. The Yankees made it to the second round by coming back from a 2-0 deficit in their Division Series against Cleveland, while the Astros used their offense to steamroll the Boston Red Sox in four games. In this matchup, we see age against youth, as legendary starter Justin Verlander, who came over from Detroit via trade late in the season, takes the hill for the Astros, while 23-year-old Luis Severino, one of the young Baby Bombers who have driven these Yankees much further than the preseason prognosticators thought they could go. Take a look at our betting odds for ALCS Game 2 and make your MLB Pick for this matchup — and take a look at the results from the opener, particularly in terms of how the teams have to use their bullpens, before locking in your wagers.

NY Yankees at Houston ALCS Game 2 Odds & MLB Pick

When: Saturday, October 14, 2017, 4:08pm ET Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston TV: FOX Radio: ESPN Radio Live Stream: MLB.tv MLB Odds: Houston Astros -135 (Total set at 7.5) Pitching Matchup: Luis Severino (14-6, 2.98 ERA) (NY) vs Justin Verlander (15-8, 3.36 ERA) (HOU)

Weather Forecast

  • Partly Cloudy: 32°C/89°F
  • Humidity: 53%
  • Precipitation: 16%
  • Wind: 8 mph SE
  • Cloud Cover: 37%
  • Type of Stadium: Retractable

Why should you bet on the Yankees?

The Pinstripes will bring power pitching on Saturday afternoon, as Luis Severino lit up the gun at 99.6 miles per hour in the seventh inning in his Game Four victory over the Indians. That could work — but it could also backfire, as the Astros are the best team in the American League at tagging the fastball. Severino made two starts against Houston during the regular season, but neither of them went well, as Houston shelled him with nine runs in 7 ⅔ combined innings. On the offensive side of the ball, the Yankees have had a lot of luck against Verlander historically. The regulars have hit a total of five home runs off him, and Chase Headley (.500 lifetime average), Todd Frazier (.294, 2 HR, 4 RBI), Didi Gregorius (.333, 1 HR, 1 RBI) and Matt Holliday (.333) have all found pitches to hit against the former Tigers ace. There is also the question of intangibles to consider. With a young team like the Yankees, there is that sense that there is nothing to lose, and so the team does not get as hung up when things don’t quite go like they should in particular situations, shaking off a bad at-bat or a bad pitch more easily than their more veteran peers might. Winning that wild card matchup against the Twins and then coming back against the defending AL champs have given the Yankees a world of confidence. Can they ride that wave to overcome the Astros?

Why should you put your money on the Astros?

Verlander has been terrific since coming to Houston on August 31. He made five starts in the last few weeks of the regular season, posting a combined 1.06 ERA. He was not quite as unhittable in the ALDS opener against the Red Sox, but he did well enough for the Astros to win, throwing six innings and permitting a pair of runs on six hits. Meanwhile, the Astros’ offense was pounding out eight runs en route to a convincing win. Are the Astros a safe MLB Pick for Game 2 of the ALCS? None of the Houston regulars have faced Severino more than seven times. Some of them have hit him well in early action. Carlos Correa (.750, 3 RBI), Evan Gattis (.500, 1 RBI), Marwin Gonzalez (.400, 1 HR, 3 RBI), Cameron Maybin (1 HR, 1 RBI) and Josh Reddick (.429, 1 RBI) have all had success. We saw Houston simply batter Boston out of the ALDS, and the Astros have the confidence to deliver once again against the Yankees.

Latest MLB Betting Trends

  • NY Yankees are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games on the road
  • NY Yankees are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Houston
  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Yankees’ last 5 games when playing Houston
  • Houston is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
  • Houston is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing NY Yankees
  • The total has gone OVER in 8 of Houston’s last 12 games

Expert MLB Pick and Final Score Prediction

Each new round in the playoffs amps up the pressure, and one reason why young teams often fail to go all the way is that, at some point, they look around and realize how high they’ve risen — and then they panic. Verlander has the steady experience to keep the Yankees’ bats in line, and I see Houston taking advantage of that perspective to take a 5-3 win, so they should be your MLB Pick.
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