Our expert MLB tipster previews Yankees vs Astros on October 19, 2022 and shares his predictions and best bets.
Rob’s MLB Record: 7-2 (77.8%)
The Yankees and Astros meet Wednesday in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, with the winner advancing to the 2022 World Series against the National League champion next week.
The Astros will host the first two games as AL West champions and No. 1 seed, while the Yankees are the AL East champions and No. 2 seed.
Here’s a look at Wednesday’s game:
| Date & Time | Wednesday, October 19, 7:35 P.M. Eastern |
| Moneyline | New York Yankees (+165) at Houston Astros (-200) |
| Runline | Yankees +1.5 (-135)/Astros -1.5 (+110) |
| Total | Over 7 (-105)/Under 7 (-115) |
| Where | Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX |
| Weather | Indoor stadium |
Starting Pitchers: Jameson Taillon (14-5, 3.91 ERA) vs. Justin Verlander (18-4, 1.75 ERA)
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New York Yankees Preview
When Game 5 of the Yankees’ divisional series with Cleveland was postponed, Jameson Taillon was moved off that game to Game 1 of the ALCS. Taillon’s enjoyed a bounce back season but finds himself in the unenviable position of matching up against Justin Verlander on Wednesday.
Taillon was shelled in his lone appearance against Houston this year, allowing six runs in 5.2 innings.
The Yankees’ best hope is a hot start against Verlander, and with RBIs in the last two games of the Cleveland series, 1B Anthony Rizzo (32 HR, .818 OPS) might be getting hot at the right time.
Houston Astros Preview
Justin Verlander needs no introduction to baseball fans. Arguably the best pitcher of his generation, Verlander turned 39 before this season yet leads Major League Baseball in ERA (1.75), WHIP (0.83), and batting average against (.186).
Verlander got the win against the Yankees on June 24, pitching seven innings and allowing just one run.
The Astros’ Yordan Alvarez is enjoying a career year and would be a top MVP candidate if it wasn’t for New York’s Aaron Judge’s home run record-setting campaign. Alvarez (.306 average, 37 HRs, 1.019 OPS) is the focal point of Houston’s lineup and hasn’t slowed down a bit in the postseason (two home runs, 7 RBI in three games.)
New York Yankees vs Houston Astros Prediction for October 19
Facing Justin Verlander is a daunting prospect in itself but doing so less than 24 hours after taking a win-or-go-home contest 1,500 miles away is a completely unenviable position. But it’s the spot the Yankees find themselves in on Wednesday.
The MLB postseason has been highly unpredictable, but so far, the Astros have looked just like their regular season selves, winning slugfests and 1-0 games all the same. Run lines can be risky in the postseason, but at plus money with Verlander on the hill, let’s go for it.
New York Yankees vs Houston Astros Best Bet October 19
Pick: Houston Astros -1.5 (+115 at Caesars)
