New York Yankees vs. Houston Astros: Odds, Analysis, MLB Betting Pick

The Houston Astros (54-26) continue their charge as MLB's best team this season when they host the winningest franchise of all time in the New York Yankees (42-35), who enter Friday's series opener as big road underdogs at the sportsbooks.

The Yankees may have a tough time preparing for this game after seeing a three-hour rain delay in Thursday's series finale against the Chicago White Sox

Betting line: The Astros opened as -150 favorites (wager $150 to win $100); the total is at eight runs, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark (line updates and matchup report)

MLB betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 5.6-3.6, Astros (MLB picks on every game)

Why the Yankees can pay on the MLB lines

New York did not begin Thursday's game at Chicago until 11 p.m. ET, fell to the White Sox 4-3 after 2 a.m. ET, and also lost prospect Dustin Fowler to a ruptured patellar tendon in his debut during the first inning when he crashed into the right-field wall trying to make a catch in foul territory.

That said, the Yankees will probably be happy to be getting out of the Windy City even though a much better opponent is waiting for them in Houston. The good news is New York has won five of the past eight road meetings in the series.

Why the Astros can pay on the MLB lines

The American League West-leading Astros will be going for their third straight win and ninth in 11 games, with 23-year-old righty Lance McCullers (7-1, 2.53 ERA) looking to extend his personal winning streak to six. McCullers has gone 5-0 in his last seven starts, and Houston has won in each of his past seven outings.

McCullers has allowed one run or less five times during that stretch in dropping his ERA nearly a run from 3.40 back on May 6. McCullers is also a perfect 4-0 in six starts at Minute Maid Park this year with a 1.95 ERA, and opposing batters are hitting only .195 against him there.

Smart betting pick

While McCullers has been great lately, the same cannot be said for his counterpart Michael Pineda (7-4, 4.12) of the Yankees. Pineda is winless in his last three starts, and he is 1-2 in six road outings with a 6.25 ERA. The opposition is hitting .321 against him away from home, and he also just gave up seven runs and six hits, including three home runs, in four innings of a 7-6 home loss to the Texas Rangers last Sunday.

Fade Pineda and ride the Astros to another victory while considering a play on the runline.

MLB betting trends

NY Yankees are 4-12 in their last 16 games.

NY Yankees are 2-8 in their last 10 games on the road.

Houston is 4-1 in its last five games.

All MLB lines and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, OddsShark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and the OddsShark YouTube page for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.