Landon Silinsky gives his preview, prediction and pick for Saturday’s game between the Yankees and Astros.

The Yankees and Astros are facing off in New York on Saturday. Below, I break down my prediction and pick for the game.

Luis Gil will be starting for the Yankees, while Framber Valdez will take the mound for the Astros .

Yankees vs. Astros prediction, preview

After missing most of the season with an lat injury, Luis Gil made his long-awaited 2025 debut for the Yankees last week—but it was a rough return. The reigning AL Rookie of the Year was tagged for five earned runs on five hits and four walks over just 3.1 innings against the Marlins. He’ll face an even tougher test this Saturday as he takes on a red-hot Astros lineup now strengthened by the return of Carlos Correa.

Gil was sensational in 2024, posting a 16-9 record with a 3.73 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 217 strikeouts over 188.1 innings. However, he looked far from that dominant form in his 2025 debut, and with the Yankees in the midst of a rough stretch, he’ll need to find his rhythm quickly. Tasked with facing a dangerous Houston lineup, Gil faces a steep challenge—especially as he works to shake off the rust.

Adding to the urgency for Gil to deliver is the man on the mound for Houston: Framber Valdez. The left-hander is in the midst of a career year, boasting an 11-5 record with a 2.83 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 144 strikeouts across 140 innings. He’s been the unquestioned ace of the Astros’ rotation and will be motivated to rebound after a rare stumble in his last start, when he surrendered five runs to the Red Sox.

Yankees vs. Astros pick, best bet

The Yankees are reeling after a tough extra-innings loss on Friday, barely hanging on to the third Wild Card spot in the American League. With the offense continuing to sputter—even with Aaron Judge back in the lineup—Saturday presents another uphill battle. This team is in desperate need of a spark, but at the moment, momentum feels hard to come by.

Speaking of Judge, while he did manage an RBI single on Friday, he’s been in a noticeable slump since returning from his elbow injury—another concern for a Yankees lineup struggling to produce. On the other side, Houston is riding high after Friday’s win, with team morale soaring. Jose Altuve added to his long history of tormenting the Yankees, launching a first-inning home run that set the tone early.

These teams are headed in opposite directions, and this matchup looks particularly unfavorable for the Yankees. I’m taking Houston on the moneyline at –126, a smart play given their momentum. I’m also comfortable sprinkling a small amount on the Astros at –1.5—for a little extra payoff if they cruise to an easy win.

Best Bet: Astros Moneyline (-126)