New York Yankees-Houston Astros Series Preview

The New York Yankees begin an eight game road trip with three games against the red-hot Houston Astros Monday night at Minute Maid Park.

After a truly awful start to the season, the Houston Astros have been surging. They went 7-17 in April, but are 47-27 in the last three months, bringing them to within 2.5 games of the sputtering Texas Rangers in the AL West. The Yankees have their work cut out for them.

It’s incredible to think that as recently as June 20th the Astros were 11 games out of the division lead. Now it seems like a certainty that they will eventually take home the division crown. FanGraphs currently has them at 51.7% to win the division, and gives Texas a 40% chance despite their lead.

Houston is given 69.7% odds to make the postseason. By comparison, the Yankees enter the day at 8%.

It took them a little while to get their act together, but the Astros are once again the class of the American League as expected. They recently signed Cuban free agent infielder Yulieski Gurriel, who they believe will be ready to take over third base every day within a few weeks, despite not having played professionally in more than a year. It still stings a little that the Yankees missed out on him.

With the trade deadline looming, the Astros seem like one of the major wild cards. They have a ton of blocked MLB ready talent, including recently promoted shortstop Alex Bregman. If anyone has the chips and motivation to land a major piece like Chris Sale, it seems like it would be them.

Scheduled Matchups

Monday at 8:10 pm ET- Michael Pineda vs. Dallas Keuchel

Tuesday at 8:10 pm ET- CC Sabathia vs. Doug Fister

Wednesday at 8:10 pm ET- Masahiro Tanaka vs. Lance McCullers Jr.

Astros “Go-To” Starting Lineup (Courtesy of Roster Resource)

1. George Springer– RF (126 wRC+) His 21 longballs is 12th in the American League
2. Preston Tucker– DH (74 wRC+) Was promoted from Triple-A last Thursday
3. Jose Altuve– 2B (166 wRC+) Would be very fun to see him take home AL MVP honors.
4. Carlos Correa– SS (127 wRC+) 3.3 fWAR through 94 games. 
5. Luis Valbuena– 1B (116 wRC+) Has quietly become a solid power hitter the past few years.
6. Alex Bregman- 3B (164 wRC+ in Triple-A) Called up prior to Monday’s game. Expected to make his MLB debut against the Yanks.
7. Colby Rasmus– LF (82 wRC+) Probably should have taken a multi-year deal last winter.
8. Carlos Gomez– CF (59 wRC+) Has been below replacement level this year and may be replaced at the deadline.
9. Jason Castro– C (99 wRC+) Solid defense and league average production at the plate combine to make a fine starting catcher.