This line doesn’t make much sense. Luis Gil makes his second start of the season after allowing five earned runs in 3.1 innings. Framber Valdez has had a good season but on the road, he’s owned a 4.04 ERA. New York is hitting .176 over their last seven days and have only won eight of their last 20 games post All-Star break. The Astros are in much better form as a team, hitting .256 on the road this season but again this line is fishy.

Framber Valdez was hit hard last time out in Boston and has been hammered in two of his past three away -- 4.04 road ERA on the year. A couple of regulars are out, and Josh Hader probably isn't available after throwing 36 pitches Friday. Feels like a gut-check game for the Yanks after a tough loss and perhaps outside the AL playoff field with another. A few Yankees have solid splits off Valdez led by Giancarlo Stanton. I believe the NY lineup today is about as good as possible because Stanton is playing the outfield in a rarity with Aaron Judge at DH. Just have to pray no balls are hit in Stanton's general direction like the Chris Pratt/Scott Hatteberg character in Moneyball (fabulous).