Fresh off a midweek MLB picks series on the West Coast in Oakland, the New York Yankees will then take their show on the road to the “Lone Star State, as they head to Minute Maid Park on Friday to kick off a three-game series with the Houston Astros, who shared a 33-33 record with the Yankees as of Thursday. BetOnline.com has the New York Yankees –147 odds favorites against the Houston Astros +127 with the over/under set at 9.5 runs +120 reduced juice.
New York Yankees at Houston Astros – 8:05 PM ET
Joba Chamberlain (1-2, 2.67) continued his transformation from a reliever to a starter in his last outing, earning a no-decision in a 6-3 home win against Kansas City as the 22-year-old allowed two runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings, striking out five batters. Chamberlain's pitch count is being marginally increased with each outing, and he starts to fade after about four innings due to being a middle reliever since he entered the majors.
Shawn Chacon (2-2, 4.96) has struggled mightily over his last two outings, allowing 11 runs in only six innings. An 8-4 loss at home to St. Louis was the worst of the season for the 30-year-old righthander, as he was shelled for seven runs on ten hits over five innings, and he gave up two homers for the second time in three outings. Chacon had been pulled after the first inning of a loss at Milwaukee in his previous start, arguing with umpires along the way, and he is on the verge of losing his confidence. As a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates last season, Chacon was rocked in his meeting with the Yankees, giving up seven runs on eight hits in just 3 1/3 innings in a 13-6 loss in New York, which was the last time he started all season.
The Yankees took two of three from the Astros in New York the last time these two met, which was way back in 2003. Chacon is not his best mindstate right now, and the powerful MLB picks Yankee offense probably is not the best place for him to be. All eyes will be on Chamberlain, but the New York bats will take center stage as the Yankees cruise to a comfortable win on Friday.
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