The Houston Astros and the New York Yankees meet Sunday in MLB action from Yankee Stadium. This will be the finale in a four-game weekend series. After a split in the first two matchups, on Saturday, New York took the series lead with a two-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Houston Astros 

The Astros lost a close one 4-3 in the opener of this series, but then bounced back for a 7-3 Friday win to even it up. Yainer Diaz and Yordan Alvarez both had home runs in that one. On Saturday in game three, Houston had just two hits in a 3-1 loss. Jose Altuve provided the lone RBI with a solo home run. Alex Bregman and Chas McCormic were the only other players with a hit. 

In the starter slot Sunday, it’ll be Jose Urquidy. Over six starts this year, Urquidy is 2-2 with a 5.20 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 27.2 innings. Urquidy last pitched April 30 in a win over Philadelphia, with two earned in 5.1 frames. 

Houston Astros Team Facts

• The Astros have won each of their last eight road games following a loss.
• The Astros have covered the run line in each of their last 11 games as underdogs against AL East opponents following a loss.
• The Astros have led after 7 innings in 12 of their last 15 games as road underdogs against AL East opponents.
• The Astros have won the first inning in three of their last four games as road underdogs against AL East opponents.
• The Astros have led after 3 innings in 10 of their last 15 games as underdogs against AL East opponents.

Houston Astros Player Prop Facts

• Jose Altuve has hit a home run in three of his last five road appearances against the Yankees after playing the previous day.
• Jeremy Pena has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last three appearances with the Astros as road underdogs.
• Jose Altuve has recorded two or more total bases in seven of his last eight road appearances against the Yankees after playing the previous day.
• Jose Altuve has scored at least one run in each of his last eight appearances after playing the previous day.
• Kyle Tucker has recorded at least one hit in each of the Astros’ last 10 games as road underdogs.

New York Yankees 

Over on the Yankees’ side, they got their only RBI from three solo homers on Friday, with Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Jake Bauers and Giancarlo Stanton each going long. In the Saturday matchup, New York got solo home runs from both Jake Bauers (2-for-4) and Gleyber Torres (2-for-3; walk) in the much-needed victory. Giancarlo Stanton bagged another pair of hits as well. 

Carlos Rodon will take the mound for the start on Sunday. In five starts this year, Rodon is 1-4 with a 6.29 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 24.1 innings. Rodon lost to the Rays in his last start with four earned on four hits and four walks in 4.0 frames. 

New York Yankees Team Facts

• The underdogs have won four of the last five games between the Astros and Yankees.
• The Yankees have covered the run line in each of their last nine day games against AL West opponents following a win.
• The Yankees have lost the first inning in each of their last three games as favourites against AL West opponents.
• The Yankees have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last three games as favourites against AL West opponents.
• The Yankees have trailed after 7 innings in four of their last six games as favourites against AL West opponents.

New York Yankees Player Prop Facts

• Carlos Rodon has recorded seven or more strikeouts in six of his last seven appearances with his team as a home favourite against AL opponents.
• Giancarlo Stanton has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 11 appearances in day games against AL teams that held a winning record.
• Gleyber Torres has recorded two or more total bases in each of the Yankees’ last eight Sunday games.
• Billy McKinney has scored at least one run in each of his last four appearances in day games.
• Giancarlo Stanton has hit a home run in three of the Yankees’ last four games against AL West opponents.
• DJ LeMahieu has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last four appearances with the Yankees as home favourites against AL West opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• The New York Yankees ranks 30th in the league for doubles this season (147).
• The New York Yankees ranks 2nd in the league for opponent batting average this season (.231).
• The Houston Astros ranks 2nd in the league for ERA this season (3.77).
• The Houston Astros ranks T5th in the league for strikeouts this season (1017).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll stick with the Astros. Probably not touching this one, but it’s going to be a very interesting pitching matchup. Urquidy is making his return after a three-month absence due to a right shoulder issue. He probably won’t be out there for long, but Urquidy should be okay for a few frames. As for Rodon, he’s given up 11 earned runs in his last 14.0 innings combined. On Saturday, Houston was flummoxed by New York’s pitching staff; five different arms added up to just two hits, four walks and 16 strikeouts. Houston still has three or more runs in three of their last four games, though, so I think the offense will return in the finale.