PREMIUM
Stephen Nover's MLB Playoff Game of the Year
(MLB) NY Yankees vs. Houston,
10/20/2017 4:08 PM, Score: 1 - 7
Money Line: -130.00 Houston (Home)
Result: Win
Money Line: -130.00 Houston (Home)
Result: Win
The Yankees have been dominant at home going 19-3 in their last 22 games at Yankee Stadium.
The Astros have been equally dominant at home winning 15 of their last 17 games at Minute Maid Park. This includes a 4-0 playoff record.
This game is at Minute Maid Parik. The Yankees are 1-4 in their five playoff road games.
Home field certainly means a lot here. But there are other factors why I'm so strong on the Astros in this game.
The pitching matchup is Luis Severino versus Justin Verlander. Severino had a breakout season reaching his high ceiling. But he's largely untested in playoff, pressure games.
Verlander is a proven pro. The former AL MVP is 10-5 with a 3.18 ERA all-time in postseason action. Verlander has been the absolute nuts since joining the Astros going 8-0 in eight sarts. He's been at his finest during the playoffs, too, going 3-0 with a 2.04 ERA.
The Astros finished the regular season with the No. 1 offense in the majors. They are batting a puny .147 in this ALCS. Masahiro Tanaka has been a huge problem for them. Tanaka has held the Astros to two runs in 13 innings. But the Astros aren't facing Tanaka here.
The Yankees not only lose their huge home field advantage, but also their momentum with Thursday's travel day. This also gives the Astros a much needed day to regroup.
If the Yankees do indeed beat Verlander and the Astros here in Houston, they are most deserving of the American League pennant. I don't see that happening, though, in this Game 6.
The Astros have been equally dominant at home winning 15 of their last 17 games at Minute Maid Park. This includes a 4-0 playoff record.
This game is at Minute Maid Parik. The Yankees are 1-4 in their five playoff road games.
Home field certainly means a lot here. But there are other factors why I'm so strong on the Astros in this game.
The pitching matchup is Luis Severino versus Justin Verlander. Severino had a breakout season reaching his high ceiling. But he's largely untested in playoff, pressure games.
Verlander is a proven pro. The former AL MVP is 10-5 with a 3.18 ERA all-time in postseason action. Verlander has been the absolute nuts since joining the Astros going 8-0 in eight sarts. He's been at his finest during the playoffs, too, going 3-0 with a 2.04 ERA.
The Astros finished the regular season with the No. 1 offense in the majors. They are batting a puny .147 in this ALCS. Masahiro Tanaka has been a huge problem for them. Tanaka has held the Astros to two runs in 13 innings. But the Astros aren't facing Tanaka here.
The Yankees not only lose their huge home field advantage, but also their momentum with Thursday's travel day. This also gives the Astros a much needed day to regroup.
If the Yankees do indeed beat Verlander and the Astros here in Houston, they are most deserving of the American League pennant. I don't see that happening, though, in this Game 6.
