It’s a quick turnaround for the Houston Astros and New York Yankees as the two teams played Game Five Friday night, hopped on a plane late night, flew to Houston and now have to play a do-or-die Game Six Saturday night. Friday night the New York Yankees were able to keep their season alive with a 4-1 win to push the ALCS to 3-2.
Each team will be saving their aces for a possible Game 7, so both teams will be using bullpens for all of Game Six. Neither manager has yet to name a “starter” for the game, but that won’t really matter for this game as most likely neither opener will go more than two innings.
Below is my pick for Game 6 of the American League Championship Series. All lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
(Hou leads 3-2): New York Yankees at Houston Astros: No current line as of Saturday morning
A lot went on in the first inning of Game Five, but after that it really calmed down and turned into a pitcher’s duel. The Houston Astros were looking to close out the ALCS and got off to a good start thanks to George Springer scoring on a James Paxton wild pitch, but that was all the Astros could muster off the Yankees pitching staff. In the bottom of the first inning the Yankees came right back thanks to a DJ LeMahieu leadoff homerun. Already having tied the game up the Yankees took a 4-1 lead thanks to an Aaron Hicks home run hit off the right field foul pole.
James Paxton was the star of the night going six innings, striking out nine Astros and allowing just that one run in the top of the first inning The Yankees then turned to their bullpen when Tommy Kahnle, Zack Britton and Aroldis Chapman combined for three shutout innings in relief.
Justin Verlander also calmed down after his rough first inning as the righty gave up just one hit in his final six innings to finish with a stat line of seven innings pitched, four earned runs and five hits. Brad Peacock came in to pitch a scoreless bottom half of the eighth inning to keep the Astros bullpen fresh for Game Six Saturday night.
Game Six Pitching Matchup: No starters have been named as of Saturday morning
Game Six Prediction: I like the Yankees to force a Game Seven, so I am backing New York in this one.
MLB Playoffs Record: 18-10
