The American League Championship Series is headed back to Houston for Game 6 on Saturday night. The New York Yankees were able to extend the series by earning a 4-1 victory in Game 5 behind a pair of home runs. Houston will now have two chances at home to win this series, but they would love to wrap things up on Saturday night in Game 6.
New York got off to a great start in this series, winning the series opener by a score of 7-0. It didn’t take long for the Astros to respond, and they won the next three games of this series to push the Yankees to the brink of elimination. Pitching has been the big story of the series so far, and it will play a huge role again in Game 6. The Houston Astros are -140 over the New York Yankees on Saturday evening.
Yankees Must Hit Some Bombs
The New York Yankees have not been hitting for a high average in this series, but they still have plenty of power in their lineup. New York blasted a pair of home runs in the first inning in Game 5, and that was the only offense that they could muster. Gleyber Torres has been the best offensive player for the Yankees during this postseason run, but he is going to need some help. If the Yankees don’t hit some home runs in this game, their season will likely end.
New York doesn’t have the edge in starting pitching in this series, but their bullpen is close to unhittable. Starter James Paxton was terrific in giving the Yankees an early lead in Game 5, and then the Yankees closed the door. The Yankees will need to find someone that can throw multiple innings in this game, but they are almost impossible to beat if they get an early lead.
Astros Will Use Their Bullpen
Manager AJ Hinch has decided to keep Gerrit Cole for a potential Game 7, so the Astros will be forced to use their bullpen in this game as well. The Astros have been getting great work from their bullpen all series long, but they aren’t as dominant as the Yankees relief corps. Houston will need to keep the ball in the ballpark to win this game.
Houston has managed just one total run in its two losses this series and has scored 15 runs in its three wins. The Astros know that they will need some offense in this game to take some pressure off of their relievers. George Springer and Carlos Correa each hit a three-run home run in the Game 4 victory and have been swinging it well this series.
Astros Advance To World Series
The New York Yankees were able to extend this series to a sixth game, but that’s as far as this one is going to go. The Astros are the much better team in this series, and they are going to wrap it up on their home field. Houston just has too many weapons, and they are not going to get shut down by the Yankees pitching staff for a second straight game. Bet the Houston Astros -140 over the New York Yankees in Game 6 of the ALCS.
