FedEx Cup 2015 Betting Odds to Win – The Barclays
Carrie Stroup here with your Astros s. Yankees betting line for Tuesday. Sportsbook.ag Line: Houston -132, New York +122, Total: 7.
HOUSTON ASTROS (69-57) at NEW YORK YANKEES (69-55)
Sportsbook.ag Line: Houston -132, New York +122, Total: 7.
The Astros have had some ups and downs this year as they currently lead the AL West by 3.5 games over the Rangers despite striking out in 23.9% of their at-bats as a group (2nd-worst in league). They make up for the whiffs with a league-best 169 homers on the year, but it has actually been the pitching staff that has led them to wins in five of their last seven contests. The hurlers have allowed a meager nine runs (1.3 runs per game) during that stretch and once again did well on Monday, but could not do anything offensively in the 1-0 defeat as they garnered just five hits and were 0-for-7 with RISP. Although the team struggled, SS Carlos Correa (.282) still performed with a 2-for-4 night and in 67 games already has 15 homers with 11 stolen bases in his rookie year.
The Yankees have had a similar year to their counterparts in this matchup and are currently tied in the AL East with the Blue Jays for the top spot. They’ve won five of their last eight contests in order to stay in that position, but really struggled over the weekend with losses in 3-of-4 tries against the Indians before grabbing the close win on Monday night. They can thank starter Nathan Eovaldi (8 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 7 K) for the win as the team won in walk-off fashion. The winning run came thanks to a sacrifice fly off the bat of OF Carlos Beltran (.272) who is hitting .299 with six homers and 16 RBIs since the All-Star break.
The start in this one will go to LHP Dallas Keuchel (14-6, 2.37 ERA) for the ‘Stros as RHP Ivan Nova (5-5, 3.72 ERA) gets the call for New York. It has been a very rough year for Houston when playing on the road as they are a putrid 24-36 (.400) away from home as the Yanks have managed a mark of 37-24 (.607) in the Bronx. It has been New York who has taken the edge in this series over the past three years, going 10-7 against this opponent and 4-3 at home during that time.
Some trends to keep an eye on include that the Astros are 16-6 (.727) after batting .225 or worse over a 15-game span this year as the Yankees are 46-30 (.605) when the money line is +125 to -125 on the season.
On the injury front, OF George Springer (Wrist) continues to ride the DL while SS Jed Lowrie (Thumb) is questionable for Houston. On the other side of the diamond, New York has 1B Mark Teixeira (Leg) listed as questionable and will be without OFs Dustin Ackley (Back) and Mason Williams (Shoulder).
It was no fluke that Keuchel took the ball to start the All-Star Game for the American League as he is amongst the best in the league with his career-best ERA of 2.37. He doesn’t exactly mow down batters at a torrid pace, getting 7.9 strikeouts per nine innings, but has shown great control (2.1 BB/9) and despite playing half of his games in what is considered a hitter’s park, has given up just 11 homers in 178.2 innings (0.45 HR/9). Although he isn’t striking out everyone, he is getting 63.1% of batters to hit the ball on the ground and has left 79.2% of runners on base. The former seventh-round pick has gone at least six innings in every one of his outings on the year and has given up more than three runs just five times. His last start was another great one as he went seven innings and gave up two runs on seven hits with five strikeouts (1 walk) in a no-decision.
He has done very well in his two starts against the Yanks, going 1-1 with a 1.59 ERA (0.82 WHIP) and was dominant (9 IP, 0 ER, 6 H, 12 K) against them earlier this year. The players who have had the most experience and success against the lefty are OF Chris Young (6-for-17, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 2 RBI) and 3B Chase Headley (3-for-10, 1 HR, 3 RBIs), while OF Brett Gardner and 2B Stephen Drew are a combined 0-for-7 in the matchup.
The relievers for Houston have been key to the success of the season, as they are a combined 24-20 with a 2.65 ERA (1.03 WHIP) and have successfully saved 31-of-48 (65%) games. Luke Gregorson (2.88 ERA, 24 saves) has shown career-best control (1.80 BB/9) and has benefited from batters hitting a meager .255 BABIP against him as he is 24-for-29 (83%) in save chances.
Nova had a rough last few years due to some serious injuries, but he has made the tough trek back to the highest level and is performing quite well for his team. Although he is striking out just 5.9 batters per nine innings in 10 starts, he has given up minimal homers (0.78 HR/9) and has respectable control (3.0 BB/9). Just like Keuchel, Nova sees his wins from the ability to keep the ball on the ground which he has done 52.5% of the time while batters are hitting .270 BABIP against him. The 28-year-old has flip-flopped wins and losses in each of his last four outings and took one of his defeats when he last took the mound against the Indians, getting through five frames of three-run, six-hit baseball while striking out four (2 walks).
The righty has started against this group just once and earned a win after going 5.2 frames with two runs allowed on six hits with a single strikeout (6 walks). Although Nova has not seen the Houston offense much, he will be happy if SS Jed Lowrie remains out as he is 4-for-8 with a pair of extra-base hits against him. He has done well in minimal at-bats against 1B Chris Carter, though, as the power-hitter is hitless in three attempts.
The New York bullpen has gotten the job done this year, going 21-13 with a 3.23 ERA (1.18 WHIP) and have managed to get the save in 38-of-47 (81%) attempts. Andrew Miller (1.83 ERA, 23 saves) has been one of the best closers in baseball with 13.4 K/9 and one blown save.
