Alright, so we are back to get everyone's MLB WILD CARD off to a great start!! One team has a perfect 7-0 ML record on the season with these odds placed on them, coming into tonight. And that's who we are rolling with. This was a tough call though to say the least, but only one side we could officially roll with here in NY tonight......
OVER 7 HOUSTON ASTROS @ NEW YORK YANKEES (-120) AND
NEW YORK YANKEES (+100)
Hard to imagine this young Astros team is listed as the favorite at Yankee Stadium for this Wild Card game, but they are and here we are. Houston became the darling of the AL as they jumped out to a red hot start to 2015, with today's starter Dallas Keuchel leading the way, and they finished out the regular season in equally impressive fashion. Although they dropped their season finale against Arizona, they had taken their previous 3 games prior to that by a combined score differential of 34-13. They were 6-2 ML in their final 8 games, while also holding a 4-2 ML mark in their L6 away from home. Houston started out on fire when playing on the road this season, posting a 10-2 ML mark in their first 12 games away from home, however that was an extremely short-lived run. They were absolutely brutal on the road after that, posting a 23-46 ML mark in their L69 on the road. That includes a pathetic run if 18-40 ML in their L58 in someone else's ballpark, although they did go 2-1 ML in their lone 3-game set in the Bronx. They were 4-3 against the Bombers this season, holding a 3-1 mark when playing as the favorite or very slight dog. The Yankees completely stumbled down the stretch, backing their way into the playoffs by dropping 3 straight games to close out the season and holding a 1-6 ML mark in their L7 overall. The got zero help from their pitching, which allowed at least 9 runs or more in 4-of-the-final-6 games. New York has also been held to 3 runs or less in 4-of-their-L7 overall. They have struggled to get in a groove at home lately as well, posting a 5-9 ML cash rate in their L14 on their home turf. Dating further back, they are 8-12 in their L20 and 10-15 ML in their L25 home games. However, the Yankees have been absolutely money for their backers when getting odds of +105 to -105 this season at home, compiling a perfect 7-0 ML record in those 7 situations this season. Had the Astros won that final game of the season in AZ, this would be a much different ball game in terms of optimism for Houston, as that would have meant home field advantage in this game, which is a huge advantage with Keuchel on the hill. The ace was a perfect 15-0 at home this season with an eye-popping 1.46 ERA, compared to a 5-8 road record and 3.77 ERA. He pitched 7 scoreless frames against the Yankees in late August, allowing a mere 3 H and striking out nine. He is 2-1 with a dominating 1.13 ERA versus the Yankees in his young career. But this will easily be the biggest game of his young career and I do expect him to give up an early run or two tonight. As for Tanaka, he will also be making his first postseason appearance and it comes against a team that rocked him for 6 R and 7 H in their lone meeting earlier this season. He allowed 3 HR in that outing and the long ball was a huge detriment to the starter's success this season, as he gave up 25 long balls in under 195 innings of work. Take the NEW YORK YANKEES and the OVER in today's Wild Card opener......
Best of luck to all tonight!! Let's get that money!!
PORT PORT SPORTS