Houston Astros (77-60) vs New York Yankees (67-69)
Game Info: Sunday, September 3, 2023 at 7:10 pm (Minute Maid Park)
Cristian Javier (9-2) (4.66) vs Michael King (3-4) (2.96)
Betting Odds: Houston Astros -182 / New York Yankees +153 --- Over/Under: 9 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: ESPN Stream the MLB Game of the Day all season on ESPN+. Sign up now! 
The Houston Astros will host the New York Yankees for their series finale game this Sunday from Minute Maid Park on ESPN. New York took game two after scoring the final runs in the fifth innings, 5-4.
Yankees Preview & Projected Starter
New York moved to 67-69 after defeating Houston. The Yankees stung the Astros again last night, and they’ll look to bring the unexpected brooms out Sunday. The New York offense is scoring 3.87 runs per game, while batting .230, with a .300 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 3.87 ERA, with a 1.25 WHIP.
Michael King (3-5, 2.96 ERA, 87 Ks) is set to open for New York. The fifth-year pitcher has served as a reliable arm out of the Yanks bullpen this season. King has held teams scoreless in eight of his last ten appearances, including a pair of scoreless showing against Houston last month.
Yankees Player Trends & Props
Gleyber Torres homered in all three wins over Detroit, and he’s leading NYY in hits (136), while posting splits of .270/23/57.
Aaron Judge homered in the game one victory, and he’s leading the Yanks in homers (30), with 57 RBI.
Giancarlo Stanton added a two-run shot in Friday’s win, and he’s posting a line of .205/20/51.
Anthony Volpe has totaled multiple bases in five of the last seven games, and he’s up to 20 home runs and 57 runs batted in.
Astros Preview & Projected Starter
Houston enters at 77-60 after losing to New York. The Astros find themselves in danger of being swept if they don’t raise their play Sunday, and they’ll look to turn things around here. The Houston offense is scoring 4.76 runs per game, while batting .248, with a .317 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 3.81 ERA, with a 1.27 WHIP.
Cristian Javier (9-2, 4.66 ERA, 119 Ks) will get the call for Houston. The fourth-year righty didn’t pitch well in Miami last week, allowing five runs in just 4.2 innings pitched. Javier’s record doesn’t show it, but he’s regressed a bit this season from a velocity and strikeout standpoint, as he’s only cleared six Ks in two of his last ten starts. Javier pitches well with the bats behind him, and he’ll look to get Houston back into the win column here in game one.
Astros Player Trends & Props
Kyle Tucker doubled in the game one loss, and he leads the Astros in hits (141), with strong splits of .291/26/97.
Alex Bregman has totaled multiple bases in five of the last seven games, and he’s posting a line of .264/22/90.
Yordan Alvarez has produced a run in four of the previous six games, and he’s totaled 23 home runs and 77 RBI for the season.
Jose Altuve has recorded a hit in five of the last seven games, and he’s batting .312 thru 64 games.
Corey’s Free Pick
These are the Yankees we’ve been waiting for all season, too bad it’s too late though, and Sunday’s result should sum up that message. While the Yanks are playing for pride, the ‘Stros have their eyes on a couple of big prizes. Sure, they’d love to repeat, but to get there they have to play their way through the three-way dance atop the AL West, and after dropping two straight home, there should a sense of urgency to win game and keep pace with Seattle and Texas. Let’s back Houston to avoid the sweep here in primetime Sunday night.
Corey’s Pick Astros ML
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
Mitch's Take...
