Houston Astros: Preview of Opening Series in New York

Aug 19, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) celebrates with second baseman Jose Altuve (27) after hitting a home run during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

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KEY TO THE SERIES

Mar 7, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Houston Astros right fielder Andrew Aplin (77) watches from the dugout during the first inning of a game against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /

The big key for any team playing the Yankees this year will be to get ahead of them early, and not play from behind. When New York is at full strength in their bullpen, Betances-Miller-Chapman is arguably the best 7-8-9 inning combination in baseball. Not having Chapman will help the Astros’ causes, but even just Betances and Miller will be tough.

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Expect Houston to play just as aggressively as last season offensively, and Keuchel, McHugh, and Fiers to continue where they left off. It will definitely be fun to see what White can do in his first major league action, in Yankee Stadium, and also to watch the young Eovaldi pitch. This writer’s prediction is that the Astros take the first two games, but Eovaldi deals in game three for a Yankees victory.

**Stats courtesy of MLB.com**

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