If you believe in the Yankees, now is the time to prove it. Odds on the team to win the American League Championship Series are now as high as +2000 (Caesars), following a 5-0 loss in Game 3.
The Houston Astros, the class of the AL this season, winners of 106 games, and with a perfect 6-0 postseason record, are one victory from returning to the World Series.
According to BetMGM, the Astros are -10000 to win this series, and -160 to win the 2022 World Series. The Yankees are +1600 to win the AL pennant and +3000 to win the World Series, per BetMGM.
Game 4 will be played at Yankee Stadium on Sunday evening, with the Astros priced at +110 from Caesars, the Yankees at -130. The Astros will start Lance McCullers Jr., and the Yankees are schedule to send starting pitcher Nestor Cortes to the mind to attempt to extend their season.
The Astros have the best odds to win the World Series among the four teams remaining in the playoffs. The Astros are listed at -180 according to Caesars following their Game 3 win. With Game 4 of the NLCS still not decided, the Philadelphia Phillies are priced at +250, and the San Diego Padres are at +550.
The World Series begins Friday, Oct. 28 in the park of the AL champion.
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Yankees vs. Astros, Game 4 ALCS Odds
Odds for Game 4 of the AL Championship Series:
ALCS Preview: Yankees vs. Astros
The schedule for the 2022 American League Championship Series. Italics = if necessary.
- Game 1: Wednesday, Oct. 19 at Houston
- Game 2: Thursday, Oct. 20 at Houston
- Game 3: Saturday, Oct. 22 at New York
- Game 4: Sunday, Oct. 23 at New York
- Game 5: Saturday, Oct. 24 at New York
- Game 2: Monday, Oct. 25 at Houston
- Game 2: Tuesday, Oct. 26 at Houston
The ALCS will be televised by TBS, and you can hear it on ESPN Radio.
ALCS Game 3 Recap: Bottom of the Order, Javier Lead way to Shutout win for Astros
When he made his first start at Yankee Stadium in June, Cristian Javier pitched seven no-hit innings and struck out 13. On Saturday in Game 3 of the ALCS, Javier was nearly as unhittable: 5 1/3 innings, one hit, five K’s, and complete command on the hill. The Astros could have scored half-a-run, if that was possible, and beaten the Yankees in this game.
In the second inning, Harrison Bader, the new rah-rah Yankee every Yankee hater loves to hate, dropped an easy fly ball and extended the inning. Starter Gerrit Cole waved to his teammate and mouthed “I got you.” Except he didn’t. The next batter, Chas McCormick, smacked a line drive that bounced off the top of the wall like a stone off a lake at summer camp for a home run to short right field.
Ironically, McCormick’s homer could be a homer in only one MLB stadium: Yankee Stadium with the small right field power alley. After Game 3, Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone and pitcher Luis Severino both derided the Astros for being “lucky” with a short, low exit velocity homer. Boone theorized that Aaron Judge’s screaming fly ball that was caught at the wall in Minute Maid Park in Game 3 would have been a homer if the roof was closed. After three games we’ve learned this much: regardless of dimensions, roof open or closed, the Astros are a superior team to the Yankees.
New York stumbled to a 5-0 loss, with just three hits (two of them with two outs in the ninth). The Yankees have struck out 41 times in three games, with only 12 hits. New York has just one extra-base hit in each of the last two games.
Yankees vs. Astros Pitching Matchup, Game 4 ALCS
Lance McCullers Jr. (0-0, 0.00 ERA in PS) vs. Nestor Cortes (1-0, 2.70 ERA in PS)
Nasty Nestor has a big job on his hands in Game 4: he has to stop the seemingly unstoppable Astros, who have yet to lose in the playoffs. Amazingly, Houston has accomplished that without the top three batters in its order doing much: Jose Altuve, Jeremy Pena, and Yordan Alvarez are a combined 6-for-35 in the first three games of this series.
It’s been the bats lower in the order and cleanup batter Alex Bregman who have provided the POP! in the Astros run-scoring machine. Yuli Gurriel, McCormick, and Christian Vazquez combined to score three runs and drive in four in the Game 3 win. The Astros also continue to play excellent defense, with Altuve and catcher Vazquez producing big plays with the glove and arm on Saturday.
But the most eye-popping piece of The Big Orange Machine is the Astros’ bullpen, which delivered 3 2/2 of shutout pitching in Game 3. That means Houston’s pen has tossed 8 2/3 innings against the Yankees, allowing only three hits and one run, while striking out 16. In the ALCS, Astro relievers have recorded 61.5% of their outs by the K.
Which is why McCullers can maximize his effort in Game 4 and pitch at a high level knowing he can go as few as four innings, turn over a lead, and likely see his team win. In his career, McCullers has a 2.97 ERA against New York, and his career postseason ERA is 2.57 in 17 games. Back in 2017, McCullers pitched 10 innings against the Yanks in the ALCS, in a start and one relief appearance. He allowed just three hits and one run.
Houston catcher Christian Vazquez (9) reacts at home plate as Chas McCormick rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the New York Yankees during the second inning to of Game 3 of an American League Championship baseball series, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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Yankees, Astros ALCS Game 4 Pick
When you see Josh Donaldson, Matt Carpenter, and other Yankee batters (even Aaron Judge) looking foolish against Houston pitching, you wonder how New York won 99 games in the regular season. But the credit goes more to the Astros pitching than blame goes to the Yanks. And that imbalance, the edge the Houston staff has over the NYY lineup, it won’t change in Game 4.
With their season on the line, the Yankees will show pride, which means we may see an Over on runs scored in Game 4. But for a final, go Astros on the moneyline.
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