New York Yankees vs. Houston Astros Prediction: Can Framber Valdez, Astros Start the Season Hot?
The New York Yankees are in Houston taking on the Astros this afternoon. Can Framber Valdez and the Astros start the season hot? Ben Rajavuori breaks down this highly anticipated Opening Day game.
Ben Rajavuori - March 28, 2024, 12:24 PM EDT
5 minNew York Yankees vs. Houston Astros Prediction: Can Framber Valdez, Astros Start the Season Hot?
The Houston Astros host the New York Yankees on MLB Opening Day to open the 2024 season. The Astros ended last season 90-72, winning the AL West. The Astros went on to lose the AL Championship Series to the Texas Rangers, who went on to win the World Series. The Yankees, meanwhile, finished 82-80 in the AL East and failed to clinch a playoff berth. Yankees fans have been restless in the offseason after missing the playoffs, and hopes are high with some new faces in the pinstripes.
Yankees vs. Astros DATE, TIME, AND WHERE TO WATCH
- Date: March 28, 2024
- Game Time: 4:10 pm ET
- Where to Watch: ESPN+
New York Yankees vs. Houston Astros Prediction
The Astros said goodbye to a few big faces after the 2023 season, including catcher Martin Maldonado, designated hitter Michael Brantley, and manager Dusty Baker. These were some key losses for the Astros, but the Astros will be fine at the plate, as they are filled with both veteran talent and young guns. The Astros added some much-needed depth to the bullpen as well this offseason.
The Yankees made some big moves in the offseason, signing star outfielder Juan Soto and crafty veteran Alex Verdugo. It was key that the Yankees got some big lefty bats, as right field in Yankee Stadium features the short porch, the best friend of left-handed batters. The Yankees also picked up some much-needed pitching with Luke Weaver and Marcus Stroman.
The key matchup in this game will be the Astros lefty-crushing hitters facing off against lefty Nestor Cortes. Cortes was named the opening-day starter and looks like the ace in this Yankees' rotation, but he faces a stiff test on opening day. The Astros ranked 2nd in 2023 with a .809 OPS against left-handed pitchers. Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, Chas McCormick, and Mauricio Dubon crushed lefty pitchers last year, and the first two names I listed lead off for the Astros today. The Yankees ranked ninth in OPs against lefties last season, which is not bad, but they have had much less success against Framber Valdez historically. Giancarlo Stanton is 4-11 off Valdez, which is good, but no other Yankee hitter has done very well. Anthony Rizzo is 2-8 off him, while Aaron Judge is 2-8 off Valdez and Alex Verdugo is 1-10. Jose Trevino is 0-9. This team has not hit well off Valdez.
With the Astros hitting so well off lefty pitchers in 2023, I love for them to kick back off where they left off and start hot offensively on opening day in 2024. The Yankees have a lot to prove and a lot of new faces in the lineup. They will also not have the advantage of the short porch, which is what this new lineup is built for. I like the Astros to be leading after five today on opening day.
New York Yankees vs. Houston Astros Pick
Pick: Astros First Five Innings -.5 -110 CLICK HERE TO SEE WHICH SPORTSBOOK HAS THE BEST ODDS
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