On Monday night in Houston, the Yankees and the Houston Astros will kick off their 2014 MLB seasons.
The Yankees spent nearly $450 million in the offseason to counter the losses of Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson, and Alex Rodriguez. Could they begin Derek Jeter’s last season with a win over the lowly Houston Astros? The Astros have also made changes in the offseason, but will they have enough to win their season-opener at home?
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New York Yankees vs. Houston Astros
Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston
When: Tuesday, April 1, 7:10 PM EST
Betting on the New York Yankees
C.C. Sabathia is coming off the worst season of his career and he’s on a mission to reclaim his Cy Young-winning form in 2014. That begins with a starting gig against the Houston Astros in the New York Yankees’ season opener.
Though the Yankees had their share of troubles winning games last season, they did not struggle against Houston. They were 5-1 overall against the Astros in 2013,with their only loss coming in the first meeting. Sabathia will face a soft line up that scored amongst the fewest runs in baseball last season (610).
Pitching aside, the Yankees also come into the game with a revamped lineup composed of offseason acquisitions Jacoby Ellsbury, Carlos Beltran, and Brian McCann. If those heavy hitters can get activated in their first meaningful game in the pinstripes, it could be a long day for the Astros.
Betting on the Houston Astros
The Houston Astros finished last season with a demoralizing 15-game losing streak. After a few changes in the offseason and the expected maturation of some of its young talents, Houston hopes that it would begin the season with a win – something they did just last year when they upended the favored Texas Rangers on opening day, 8-2, as +157 underdogs.
Tasked to take the mound for the Astros’ season opener is Scott Feldman (12-12, 3.86 ERA in 2013), who was one of Houston’s notable acquisitions in the offseason. Feldman pitched for the Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles last season and started 15 games for each.
Meanwhile, Houston’s offense has also been upgraded with Dexter Fowler (.263/12 HRs/ 42 RBIs) hitting lead off followed by Jose Altuve, and Jason Castro – a pretty solid 1-2-3 combo which could give opposing pitchers trouble on any given day.
Prediction
The Yankees offense appears to have improved with the new players in its batting order, which means Scott Feldman will definitely be in for a big challenge. Take the over: if the Yankees don’t cover it, a renewed Astros line up will.
