The ALCS will move to the Bronx after the two opening games in Houston, and we will have another MLB treat on Saturday, October 22, so you can’t afford to overlook the best Astros vs. Yankees betting pick and odds.

The Yankee Stadium will welcome Game 3 of the ALCS between Houston and New York, and the Yankees are -145 moneyline favorites on BetOnline Sportsbook, while the total is set at 7 runs. These conference rivals have faced seven times before this playoff series, and the Astros won five. Houston also won both the opening games of the current series.

Astros justified the role of a favorite in both ALCS games at home

The Houston Astros recorded a pair of home wins in the ALCS against the New York Yankees and now are looking to get at least one victory in the Big Apple before coming back to Minute Maid Park. Houston was expected to beat the Yanks in the first two duels, given New York had a lengthy ALDS against Cleveland, and they didn’t disappoint.

The Astros drew the first blood in Game 2 through Alex Bregman, who blasted a three-run homer in the 3rd inning to give his team a 3-0 lead, which proved to be vital. New York did respond with a couple of runs in the next inning, but the hosts still got away with a W. Framber Valdez was dominant across 7.0 scoreless innings during which he posted nine strikeouts and no walks. For the second game in a row, Ryan Pressly got a save, his third of the playoffs.

Cristian Javier (11-9, 0-0 in the playoffs) did feature in this playoffs, but will now experience the first postseason start of his career when he meets New York on Saturday. The 25-year-old righty had 25 starts this season and carries a 2.54 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 194/52 K/BB ratio over 148.2 innings.

The ALDS hangover didn’t help the Yankees in Houston

The New York Yankees, perhaps harder than expected, defeated the Cleveland Guardians in the ALDS. They needed five games to do it, and the fact the Astros concluded their ALDS a couple of days earlier played a key role in New York’s two losses in the first two games of the ALCS.

The Yanks were 3-0 down early on, and even though they managed to cut the deficit to one in the 4th inning, it wasn’t enough to complete a comeback and make a break. Anthony Rizzo and Gleyber Torres each contributed with an RBI; however, the Yankees couldn’t do much more against Houston’s excellent staff. Luis Severino took a loss after allowing three runs in 5.1 innings with six strikeouts and a walk.

Gerrit Cole (13-8, 2-0 in the playoffs) is named a starter for Game 3 of the ALCS against Houston on Saturday. The 32-year-old right-hander started 33 games this year and owns a 3.50 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 257/50 K/BB ratio across 200.2 innings of work.

Houston:

•            5-0 in the last five playoff games

•            4-0 in the last four vs. American League East rivals

•            5-0 in the last five games vs. a right-handed starter

New York:

•            0-4 in the last four vs. American League West opponents

•            1-4 in the last five after scoring two runs or less in their previous game

Houston Astros vs. New York Yankees Pick

The Yankees will be looking to avoid a 3-0 deficit situation in this ALCS, especially considering they have three consecutive home games. That’s why is crucial for them to win Game 3, but I don’t think the Astros will just come to New York with a white flag. They are a better team, which they proved in the regular season, and even if they don’t record a win on Saturday, I am backing the visitors to stay close. Both starters, Cristian Javier and Gerrit Cole have strong numbers against their respective rivals, so it’s going to be a tight affair that could go either way.

Pick: Take the Houston Astros at +1.5 (-161)

The Total

Given the Astros and Yankees failed to combine for more than six runs in the first two games of the series, I don’t think they will combine for over seven on Saturday. Cristian Javier was fantastic against New York in two starts (1-0) this season, registering a microscopic 0.75 ERA in 12.0 innings. On the other hand, Gerrit Cole, who played for Houston earlier in his career, had one start against the Astros this season and lost, but still posted a 1.29 ERA across 7.0 innings. I am going with another low-scoring affair here.

Pick: Go Under 7 runs (-110)