Thursday, April 3, 8:10 PM on YES, CSNH

Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas

New York - (R) Nova, I (0-0) vs. Houston - (L) Oberholtzer, B (0-0)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

New York Yankees big right-hander Ivan Nova will be hoping to get his season off to a good start when he faces Brett Oberholtzer and the Houston Astros. Nova's strikeouts may have been down a bit in 2013, but he was also able to improve his command to put up the best ERA (3.10) of his career. He started last season in poor form, but after he was called back up in late-June, he looked like a totally different pitcher. His 2.08 ERA in the month of August earned him AL Pitcher of the Month honors. The only current Astro that Nova has faced so far in his career is Chris Carter, who has a hit and has struck out once against the righty.

Brett Oberholtzer came up to the majors for the first time in 2013 and definitely would have been a Rookie of the Year candidate had he made a few more starts. He will be eligible this year if he can stay healthy, so if he can post an ERA anywhere close to the 2.76 ERA he had last season, he should easily get some votes.

Jacoby Ellsbury will be hoping to get his first hit off of Oberholtzer after going 0-for-3 against him last season. Alfonso Soriano has a double, a walk and a strikeout in three career plate appearances against Oberholtzer.

New York Trends

NY is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY's last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston
NY is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games when playing Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY's last 5 games when playing Houston

Houston Trends

Houston is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against NY
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games when playing at home against NY
Houston is 2-12 SU in its last 14 games when playing NY
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games when playing NY

Injuries to Watch

New York 

04/01/14 SS Brendan Ryan Back 15-day DL (3/22)

Houston 

03/31/14 P Alex White Elbow 15-day DL (3/21)
03/31/14 P Asher Wojcie Side 15-day DL (3/21)
03/31/14 P Jesse Crain Bicep 15-day DL (3/21)

Tony's Pick: Take New York

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