It’s time for the MLB playoffs to get under way and tonight is is the one-game playoff between the Houston Astros and the New York Yankees, which will take place in New York. Game time is set for 8:00 PM (ET) and will be televised on ESPN.
Written by David Hess Follow Me on Twitter @DavidHess311
Betting Odds provided by 5Dimes
Houston -109
New York -101
Over/ Under: 7o15
Houston- The Houston Astros led their division for much of the year until a 4 game sweep at the hand of the Rangers dropped them to second place in the West. From that point on Houston was in a three-way battle with Minnesota and Los Angeles for the 2nd wildcard slot. Houston finally won it and also won a trip to New york for the one game playoff.
For this game Houston will send out Dallas Keuchel on 3 days rest. This will be the first time this year he will pitch on such short rest, so it will be interesting to see how he does. Dallas had a great year as he went 20-8 with a 2.48 ERA overall, but he was 5-8 with a 3.77 ERA on the road. Dallas faced the Yanks twice this year and was 2-0 with an 0.00 ERA in those games. In 2 career starts at Yankee Stadium he is 1-1 with a 1.80 ERA.
The Astros were a good offensive team this year, ranking 6tyh in scoring (4.5 rpg) 21st in hitting (.250) and 2nd in homers (230).on the road they hit .244 and scored 4.47 rpg.
New York- The Yankees also led their division for a while this year, until the Toronto Blue Jays went out and got David Price and Troy Tulowitzki. That when everything changed in the AL East and the Yanks were relegated to playing for a wildcard slot. The Yanks had a big lead for much of the year in the Wildcard race ad they weren’t really in danger of losing it down the stretch.
Tonight the Yanks will send out Masahiro Tanaka, who did spend some time on the DL this year, but he is clearly their best pitcher in the starting rotation. Tanka was solid this year, going 12-7 with a 3.51 ERA in 24 starts, while at home he has gone 7-4 with a 3.71 ERA. Tanaka faced the Astros once on the road and got a no-decision in the 9-6 New York win. He allowed 6 ERs in 5 innings in that game.
The yanks were also a good offensive team this year as they ranked 2nd in the league in scoring (4.72 rpg), 17th in hitting (251) ad 4th in homers (212). At home they have averaged 4.7 rpg and hit .247.
Free Baseball Pick
[931] Houston/ New York Over 7
I know that playoff baseball usually breeds low scoring games, but I have to feel this one will be different. Dallas Keuchel is not as strong on the road as at home as he has a 3.77 ERA in his away starts this year and his road starts have averaged 10.07 rpg. Masahiro Tanaka comes in with a 3.71 EDRA at home, with his home starts averaging 9.79 rpg, plus he was hit hard in his lone start vs the Astros this year. Both offense have been very good and both are in the top 5 in homers. This game should see at least 9 runs scored.
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