Yankees vs. Astros Game 2 Betting: Will Valdez hand Houston a valuable 2-0 lead?

In Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, the New York Yankees struck the first blow, but Justin Verlander and the Houston Astros would have the last laugh in a 4-2 win.

Will Houston, who has yet to lose in this year’s MLB playoffs, take a 2-0 lead to New York, or will the Bronx Bombers strike back to go home with a huge split?

The visitors certainly have their work cut out for them tonight. After having to deal with Verlander in last night’s series opener, the Yankees will have to deal with Framber Valdez in Game 2, with Luis Severino toeing the rubber for the Yanks.

While it was a low-scoring game, it wasn’t short on fireworks. Five solo home runs accounted for all but one of the game’s six runs. Will we see any balls leave the yard tonight?

New York Yankees vs. Houston Astros Matchup Information and Betting Odds – ALCS Game 2

Matchup Information

• Matchup: #2 New York Yankees (0-1) vs. Houston Astros (1-0)
• Venue & Location: Minute Maid Park (Houston, Texas)
• Date: Thursday, October 20, 2022
• Game Time: 7:37 p.m. Eastern Time (6:37 p.m. local time)
• How to Watch Yankees vs. Astros Game 2: TBS

Yankees vs. Astros Pitching Matchup

• New York: RHP Luis Severino (2022 regular season: 19 starts, 7-3, 3.18 ERA – 1 start, 0-0, 4.76 ERA in the postseason)
• Houston: LHP Framber Valdez (2022 regular season: 31 starts, 17-6, 2.82 ERA – 1 start, 0-0, 3.18 ERA in the postseason)

Yankees vs. Astros Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline. This article may also include odds from our other recommended legal sports betting sites.

Moneyline

• New York Yankees +136
• Houston Astros -162

Over/Under

• Over 7 (-104)
• Under 7 (-118)

Run Line

• New York Yankees +1.5 (-170)
• Houston Astros -1.5 (+140)

New York Yankees vs. Houston Astros Prediction and Best Bets

Yankees vs. Astros Prediction: Astros to win

Yankees vs. Astros Best Bets: Astros -1.5 (Best Value: +148 at BetUS) & Yankees team total under (Best Value: under 3 @ -115 at BetOnline)

I’m going to keep this short and sweet, because last night only served to reinforce my opinions about these two teams and this matchup. Those opinions will not be changed easily, either.

Now, Severino vs. Valdez is a much more even pitching matchup than Taillon vs. Verlander was. That is worth noting, and it is reflected in the odds for tonight’s game relative to the odds for Game 1.

And Valdez did have some bumpy starts in September, as he fell just short of tying an MLB record for the most consecutive quality starts. He also has been better on the road than at home this season.

But New York has also been extremely reliant on the long ball, and they will be going up against a pitcher who has been pretty stingy in that area this season. Valdez has allowed only 11 homers all season in 207 innings across the regular season and postseason, including just three at home in 92 innings at home.

Also, the Yankees hit only .223 in the regular season in games started by LHP, compared to .247 in games started by RHP. And they averaged more than a half run less in games started by LHP than they did in games started by RHP.

This will be the Yankees’ first matchup with a southpaw starter in this year’s playoffs, and I do not see it going well.

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