Houston Astros vs. New York Yankees: Preview, Predictions and Picks for May 8, 2024

Published on:
May 8, 2024 6:31 AM
On Wednesday, May 8th, the Houston Astros will take on the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium at 7:05 PM. The Yankees, riding a 5-0 regular season series lead, look to build on their momentum at home, where they hold a 12-5 record. The Astros, meanwhile, seek to snap their 5-game losing skid against the Bronx Bombers.
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Houston Astros
New York Yankees

Astros vs Yankees starting pitchers

In the upcoming showdown between the Houston Astros and New York Yankees, we're poised to witness a stark contrast in pitcher form and experience. The Astros are sending Spencer Arrighetti to the mound, a starter struggling with a high ERA of 8.27 and a WHIP of 1.96 across 16.1 innings pitched this season. His performance so far has been lackluster, recording no wins against three losses and a concerning number of hits and walks allowed. On the other side, the Yankees will counter with Carlos Rodon, who brings a much stronger track record to the game. Rodon has maintained a solid ERA of 3.68 and a WHIP of 1.28 over 36.2 innings, striking out 36 batters and securing two wins. This pitching duel presents an advantage for the Yankees, given Rodon's proven capability and Arrighetti's current form, setting up a pivotal matchup in this high-stakes game.

Astros vs Yankees game preview

As the Houston Astros prepare to face the New York Yankees, their game strategy will likely focus on leveraging their proficient hitting capabilities, which have seemingly shined this season. Currently ranking fifth in the league for both the number of hits (308) and batting average (.255), the Astros have shown consistent ability to get on base and generate scoring opportunities. Key players such as Jose Altuve, who boasts a stellar .336 batting average, and Kyle Tucker with 10 home runs and 24 RBIs, are expected to be pivotal in penetrating the formidable pitching of the Yankees. However, the Astros need to sharpen their approach against walks and strikeouts—it's vital to address their position at 28th in the number of pitches faced and 30th in strikeout frequency—to maintain competitive at-bats and keep pressure on the Yankees’ defense.

On the other side, the New York Yankees come into this matchup with a strong offensive and defensive lineup, highlighted by their aggressive plate discipline. Their position at second place for the number of pitches faced (5722) and the number of times reaching base on walks (154) reveals a team that excels in patience and selecting their pitches prudently. Juan Soto, leading with a .329 batting average, 8 home runs, and 28 RBIs, epitomizes the depth of talent that the Yankees bring to the table. On the mound, they're set to deploy Carlos Rodon, whose presence could provide a strategic edge given the Astros' struggle with strikeouts and pitch handling. The Yankees will need to exploit these areas while maintaining their robust defensive game to contain the Astros’ top hitters and capitalize on their own offensive opportunities.

New York Yankees injuries

  • Tommy Kahnle (RP): 15-Day-IL
  • Jorbit Vivas (2B): Day-To-Day
  • James Norwood (RP): Day-To-Day
  • Danny Watson (RP): Day-To-Day
  • Nick Burdi (RP): 15-Day-IL

Houston Astros injuries

  • Miguel Palma (C): Day-To-Day
  • Zach Dezenzo (3B): Day-To-Day
  • Jairo Solis (SP): Day-To-Day
  • Cristian Javier (SP): 15-Day-IL
  • Dixon Machado (SS): Day-To-Day

Astros vs Yankees predictions

The Yankees are favored to win tonight, with the moneyline sitting at -145. You know what that means? The smart money is on the Pinstripes. Vegas is basically begging you to take the Astros, but I'm not falling for it. The Yanks are on a roll, and Spencer Arrighetti's shaky ERA (8.27, yikes) isn't exactly inspiring confidence. Meanwhile, Carlos Rodon is dealing, with a 3.68 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 36 innings. You do the math.

Okay, so here's how I see tonight's game playing out. I've got Aaron Judge going off for two hits and a homer, because, well, he's Aaron Judge. Oswaldo Cabrera will chip in with a couple of singles and a run scored, while Giancarlo Stanton will drive in two with a double. On the Astros' side, I've got Jose Altuve getting two hits and a run scored, but Yordan Alvarez is due for a big game, so I'll give him a homer and three RBIs. Meanwhile, Spencer Arrighetti will struggle to make it through five innings, while Rodon cruises to a dominant win. Final score: Yankees 6, Astros 4. The Bronx Bombers are too hot right now, and even with Altuve and Alvarez doing their thing, I just don't think Houston can keep up. Take the Yanks and the over – it's gonna be a fun one.

Houston Astros vs. New York Yankees Betting Odds

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