Today’s Yankees vs Astros matchup is one of the marquee matchups in Major League Baseball on Thursday. These teams have a rivalry that has seen them go at it in the postseason time and time again over the last decade. That rivalry will write another chapter at the start of this season, as both teams look to make a statement against a fellow favorite to win the American League pennant.

As far as today’s action is concerned, look for the home team to win this Yankees vs Astros matchup. Houston will benefit greatly from the absence of reigning American League Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole for the Yankees. Instead of Cole pitching to start the year for New York, it will be Nestor Cortes starting the season for the Bronx Bombers on the hill.

Cortes is by no means a bad substitute for Cole when he is at his best. But Cortes was not at his best for most of 2023, posting an ERA of 4.97 while winning just five games in a season where he did not see the field as much as the Yankees would have wanted. Cortes will need to come back strong to start this season if the Yankees are going to have a chance to win this contest.

Meanwhile, Framber Valdez will take the hill for the Astros, who figures to have another excellent season in 2024. Valdez went just 12-11 last year, but he had a 3.45 ERA, which put him in the top-15 in baseball in that department. Expect Valdez to deal on Opening Day here and for the Astros to come away with a victory against a Yankees team that has struggled to get the better of Houston for much of their rivalry over recent seasons.

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