New York Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodon (55) delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois.

The New York Yankees (77-62) and the Houston Astros (77-63) wrap up a 3-game series Thursday at Daikin Park in Houston. First pitch is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's MLB odds around the Yankees vs. Astros odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Astros lead 3-2

The Yankees led 3-0 midway through the fifth inning, and it led 4-3 heading to the seventh-inning stretch before the Astros came alive late. Houston scored 1 in the seventh, and 4 in the bottom of the eighth, leading 8-4. The Yankees scored 3 in the top of the ninth, as Houston held on.

Yankees C Austin Wells went 3-for-4 with 2 doubles and his 20th home run of the season and 2 RBIs, while 1B Ben Rice finished 2-for-4 with 2 runs scored. RF Cody Bellinger also had a 3-run shot in the ninth inning to make things interesting.

Astros LF Yordan Alvarez ended up 4-for-5 with a double, run scored and RBI, while 1B Vic Caratini finished 2-for-3. SS Jeremy Pena was 2-for-4 with a solo homer, walk and 2 RBIs out of the leadoff spot.

It was just the second loss in the past 10 games for the Yankees. The Over is 5-2 in the past 7 games, while going 13-4 in the previous 17 outings.

For the Astros, they picked up just their second win in the past 5 games. The Under is still 7-3 in the past 10 games despite the high-scoring result Wednesday.

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Yankees at Astros projected starters

LHP Carlos Rodon vs. RHP Jason Alexander

Rodon (15-7, 3.18 ERA) makes his 29th start. He has a 1.08 WHIP, 3.7 BB/9, 9.7 K/9 through 164 1/3 innings.

  • Last start: Win, 6 IP, 1 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 5 K in 10-2 road win vs. Chicago White Sox Aug. 29
  • Last 7 starts: 5-0, 3.40 ERA (39 2/3 IP, 15 ER), 21 BB, 38 K, 1.18 WHIP
  • 2025 road stats: 6-4, 3.47 ERA (85 2/3 IP, 33 ER), 7 HR, 37 BB, 95 K, 1.27 WHIP in 15 starts
  • Career vs. Astros: 4-0, 2.51 ERA (64 2/3 IP, 18 ER), 8 HR, 18 BB, 64 K, 1.11 WHIP, 8.9 K/9 in 11 starts

Javier (1-1, 3.38 ERA) makes his fifth start. He has a 1.13 WHIP, 5.1 BB/9, 9.0 K/9 through 16 innings.

  • Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 3 BB, 6 K in 2-0 home win vs. Los Angeles Angels Aug. 29
  • Last 4 starts: 1-1, 3.38 ERA (16 IP, 6 ER), 1 HR, 9 BB, 16 K
  • 2025 home stats: 1-1, 1.93 ERA (14 IP, 3 ER), 1 HR, 5 BB, 13 K, 0.79 WHIP in 3 starts
  • Career vs. Yankees: 1-1, 1.99 ERA (31 2/3 IP, 7 ER), 4 HR, 10 BB, 39 K, 0.79 WHIP, 11.1 K/9 in 6 games (5 starts)

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Yankees at Astros odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:46 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Yankees -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Astros +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Yankees -1.5 (+125) | Astros +1.5 (-155)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -102 | U: -118)

Yankees at Astros picks and predictions

Prediction

Yankees 5, Astros 3

Moneyline

The YANKEES (-140) are a decent play as moderate favorites in this series finale.

New York had dropped 2 of the past 3 games, but it is still a very solid 8-2 across the past 10 games. The Yankees are 62-47 against right-handed starting pitchers.

While the Astros are 18-10 vs. LHP, the fact Javier has just 4 starts under his belt this season has the scales tipped in favor of Rodon and the Bronx Bombers.

Run line/Against the spread

If you're a little more on the adventurous side, YANKEES -1.5 (+125) is worth a look at plus-money.

In New York's past 8 victories since Aug. 24, all 8 of those wins have been by at least 2 runs. So, if you like the Yankees, you should like them to cover the run line, too.

Over/Under

UNDER 8.5 (-118) is the lean based on the trends for the Astros, but go lightly.

While the Over cashed in Wednesday's game, the Under is still 12-5 in the past 17 games for the Astros, including 6-3 in the past 9 at home. The Under cashed in Javier's most recent start, too, a 2-0 victory over the Angels Aug. 29.

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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: New York Yankees at Houston Astros odds, picks and predictions

Reporting by Daniel Dobish, Sportsbook Wire / Sportsbook Wire

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