Gerrit Cole already has two outstanding outings in the MLB playoffs, and he might need a third tonight if the New York Yankees are going to get back into their ALCS matchup with the Houston Astros.
Great pitching and timely home runs led Houston to two wins in Houston.
In Game 1, Justin Verlander's stellar start was backed up by three homers. Then in Game 2, Alex Bregman's third-inning three-run homer all that was needed for Houston to take a 2-0 lead back to the Bronx, thanks to seven impressive innings by Framber Valdez.
What is in store this evening at Yankee Stadium? Cole needs to deliver against his former team if the Yankees are going to have their best chance to win, as Houston is trotting out yet another stud to shut down the Bronx Bombers.
Houston Astros vs. New York Yankees Matchup Information and Betting Odds – ALCS Game 3
Matchup Information
Matchup: #1 Houston Astros (2-0) vs. New York Yankees (0-2)
Venue & Location: Yankee Stadium (New York, New York)
Houston Astros vs. New York Yankees Prediction and Best Bets
Astros vs. Yankees Prediction: Houston to win
Astros vs. Yankees Best Bets: Houston ML (Best Value: +132 at BetOnline) & Houston/New York under 6.5 (Best Value: +100 at Bovada Sportsbook, BetUS & BetMGM)
After having to face Verlander and Valdez in Houston, the Yankees have to deal with Javier tonight, who last pitched at Yankee Stadium on June 25.
And all he did that afternoon was strike out 13 and allow just one walk in seven no-hit innings, as the Yankees were no-hit for the first time since 2003 (and only the second time since 1958).
Javier's only postseason action thus far was 1.1 innings in Houston's NLDS Game 1 win over the Seattle Mariners, but he did not allow a single run over his final four regular season starts.
In those four starts, he allowed just six hits and six walks and struck out 29 in 23 innings.
Cole was outstanding in two starts against Cleveland in the ALDS, allowing one run and four hits and striking out eight in 6.1 innings in a Game 1 win and two runs and six hits and striking out eight in seven innings in a Game 4 win.
The series shifting to New York likely won't see an increase in scoring, and a third straight under should be in the cards. And I also don't see the series shifting to New York bringing about a change in outcome either.
Sometimes a team just has your number, and the Astros certainly appears to have the Yankees' number. I can understand the Yankees being favored in this matchup with Cole on the mound, but for me, that just makes backing the Astros even more appealing.
Eddie Griffin has been writing about and betting on sports for over a decade and has been with Betting News since 2021. For more of his thoughts on sports and sports betting, you can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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