Houston Astros (111-56) vs. New York Yankees (102-67)
October 23, 2022 7:07 pm EDT
The Line: New York Yankees -122 / Houston Astros -101; Over/Under: 6.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Houston Astros and the New York Yankees meet Sunday in game 4 of the ALCS MLB action from Yankee Stadium. This will be game four in a best-of-seven American League Championship Series. The Astros took the first two installments, then on Saturday in game three Houston kept it going with a shutout victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Houston managed to take out the Yankees 4-2 in game one of this series, and followed that up with a 3-2 win in game two. On Saturday in game three the Astros posted three runs in the sixth inning during a 5-0 shutout win. Starter Cristian Javier managed 5.1 innings with one hit and three walks.
For the Sunday game four start, the Astros will send out Lance McCullers. In his lone postseason start this year McCullers has a clean ERA without a decision with seven Ks in 6.0 total frames.
Over on the Yankees’ side, they had a few chances in game two but couldn’t overcome giving up three runs in the third inning. On Saturday New York had just three hits in the loss. Gerrit Cole went 5.0 innings in the start with three earned on five hits and two walks.
As starter for Sunday’s matchup the Yankees are going with Nestor Cortes. In two postseason starts so far Cortes is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA. In 10.0 innings total he has five Ks.
The Astros are 5-0 in the last five playoff games and 5-0 in their last five ALCS games. Houston is 40-15 in their last 55 overall.
Meanwhile, the Yankees are 56-22 in their last 78 at home and 13-6 in their last 19 playoff games at home. New York is 6-18 in their last 24 ALCS games.
PICK: I’m going to stick with the Astros. It’s been a while since McCullers has stepped on a mound; he last pitched October 15 in the 18-inning marathon win 1-0 versus Seattle. McCullers managed two hits and two walks with seven Ks in 6.0 innings in that one, and he should be able to post another quality outing in game four.
As for Cortes, he should be able to put up some solid numbers as well. Cortes is coming off a 5.0-inning performance with three hits and one earned in a win over Cleveland. I like both starters to put up quality outings in game four, but I just don’t trust the Yankees offense to come through for the win. Should be a close game regardless, though.
