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

A rematch of last year's American League Championship Series continues in Houston on Tuesday when the defending World Series champion Astros (20-10) host the New York Yankees (18-10) as solid home favorites at the sportsbooks.

Houston took the series opener 2-1 on Monday, snapping New York's nine-game winning streak behind 10 strikeouts from starting pitcher Charlie Morton.

MLB betting line: The Astros opened as minus-177 favorites (wager $177 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: 3.9-3.4, Astros (MLB picks on every game)

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Why the Yankees can pay on the MLB lines

Even with the loss, the Yankees have won nine of their last 10 games and continue to play their best baseball of the young season.

They got a solid outing from starter Sonny Gray, who allowed two runs and four hits in six innings, and will send 25-year-old lefty Jordan Montgomery (2-0, 3.76 ERA) to the mound next looking to remain unbeaten.

Montgomery has pitched well in four of his five starts this season, giving up more than three runs and five hits only once. He won his lone road start against the Detroit Tigers on April 13, too, surrendering three runs and five hits in six innings with four strikeouts.

Why the Astros can pay on the MLB lines

The Astros are riding a three-game winning streak and have taken four of five since losing two in a row for the first time since April 16. They will counter Montgomery with 35-year-old veteran Justin Verlander (4-0, 1.36), who dominated New York in last year's playoff matchup en route to winning ALCS MVP honors.

Verlander allowed only one run and 10 hits to the Yankees in 16 innings over two postseason starts, walking two and striking out 21.

Overall, Houston has won 11 of the previous 16 meetings, according to the OddsShark MLB Database, with three of the five losses taking place in the ALCS.

Smart betting pick

Verlander has been outstanding all year and gone seven innings or more in three of his last four outings while giving up two runs or fewer each time out.

In fact, the only time the Astros lost with him on the hill this season he surrendered one hit and a solo home run in eight innings of an eventual 3-1 home loss to the Texas Rangers with one walk and 11 strikeouts. Look for him to stay unbeaten and Montgomery to suffer his first loss.

MLB betting trends

New York is 9-1 in its last 10 games.

New York is 4-1 in its last five games on the road.

Houston is 4-1 in its last five games at home.

All MLB odds and betting trends according to Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app.