Astros Vs. Yankees Series Preview: Schedule, Start Time, Channel, Odds, Predictions

Commencing Thursday and continuing into this weekend, the Houston Astros will fly into the Bronx and pay the first-place New York Yankees a visit.

Penciled in to play four games, this series poises to shine a spotlight upon which club deserves to sit atop the American League throne during this season thus far. As both squads remain favorited to reach the postseason, this battle between the two powerhouses poises to add a “playoff-like” atmosphere to a meer late June series.

Although this statement tends to warrant some disagreeing arguments from Minnesota fans, the Astros and Yankees seemingly reign above all as the AL’s two top teams. The Yankees clock in with a 46–27 record, while the Astros hold a 48–27 record themselves. Despite both squads displaying impressive win totals, one club steamrolls ahead toward this series, while the other scratches and claws its way in.

After two lackluster series splits while undergoing some Interleague play against the New York Mets and Chicago White Sox, the Yankees completed a swept against their rival, the Tampa Bay Rays. With the Rays breathing down the Yankees’ backs, New York won all three games at home, inflating their AL East lead and ending the affair with a statement 12–1 victory. Incredible performances from unsuspected players such as looming MVP candidate D.J. LeMahieu and Cameron Maybin continue to compliment the Bombers’ already bloomed stars such Gary Sanchez and Glebyer Torres. The Yankees continue to win off the field as well, as former NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton returned to the lineup this week, making a marvelous play with his glove by swiping a foul ball for an out during his first game back Tuesday night. Meanwhile, the team doctors remain confident super–star outfield Aaron Judge could join Stanton on the team this week as well.

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After losing to the underwhelming Cincinnati Reds Wednesday, the Astros suffered an uncharacteristic sweep, having now dropped four games in a row. Despite a recent road bump, most baseball minds know Houston still remains a serious threat, more so as a beast only angered with its prior losses, rather than truly defeated. Their roster’s offensive capabilities and starting pitching keep them in every game, going nearly unrivaled across the league. Alex Bregman continues to explore his potential, expanding his effectiveness each year, including this year as he currently tallies 20 home runs and 50 RBIs. Other players such as Michael Brantley and Josh Reddick always stand capable to change a game’s entire course when stepping up to the plate as well. Like New York, the Astros continue to truck on despite some of their main weapons still neutralized with injuries, such as Jose Altuve and George Springer. While Altuve finally played his first game back Wednesday, Springer remains on track to return within the next two weeks, likely after a short rehab stint.

Picking up where they left off last year, the Astros continue to wield perhaps the game’s most dominant starting pitching rotation. The lethal group includes Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, Wade Miley and Brad Peacock, all of whom combine to post an impressive 3.28 ERA. Although New York’s starting rotation includes some gems such as Masahiro Tanaka, who pitched a complete game shutout against Tampa Bay this week, its dominant bullpen maintains pitching success with its late game close-out pitchers such as Tommy Kahnle, Adam Ottavino and Aroldis Chapman.

Although countless games remain unplayed, this series’s gravity for each club going forward cannot be ignored, as it stands as a potential chance to benchmark each team’s capabilities thus far during the season. Igniting this “clash of the titans,” the first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST at Yankee Stadium on Thursday. The game will air on YES network.