New York Yankees at Houston Astros 7/21/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The top two teams in the American League will square off on Thursday afternoon, when the New York Yankees invade Minute Maid Park to take on the Houston Astros. The Yankees (64-28) are 11 games above .500 on the road and own the best overall record in the majors. On Sunday, New York SP Gerrit Cole struck out 12 batters and IF D.J. LeMahieu scored three runs during a 13-2 home victory versus Boston.

New York manager Aaron Boone has yet to name a starting pitcher for this game. The Yankees currently rank third in the majors with a 3.08 team ERA and have logged 40 quality starts.

The Houston Astros have won 28 of their first 42 home games and hold a nine-game lead over Seattle for AL West Division supremacy. Check out how all of your favorite baseball teams rank in our free baseball picks. On Sunday, Houston went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base during a 4-3 home loss versus lowly Oakland. Kyle Tucker and Jeremy Pena each went deep in a losing effort for the Astros (59-32).

Twenty-five year old righty Cristian Javier (6-5 3.22 ERA) will take the ball for the Astros in the opening game of the doubleheader. Through 78 plus frames, Javier has fanned 112 batters and owns a sparkling 1.05 WHIP.