The New York Yankees will look to extend their six-game win streak when they face the Houston Astros on Friday, April 24, 2026, at 8:10 p.m. ET at Daikin Park.
Why it matters: The Yankees are currently first in the AL East, and a win against the Astros could bolster their lead, especially as they face a team struggling to find its footing.
The Yankees enter the game with a record of 16-9, riding high after a recent three-game sweep against the Boston Red Sox.
The Astros, sitting at 10-16, are looking to turn their season around after a mixed bag of results, including a 2-1 series win against the Cleveland Guardians.
Driving the news: The matchup features two starting pitchers with contrasting performances this season.
Will Warren, boasting a 2-0 record and a 2.49 ERA, is set to take the mound for the Yankees.
Lance McCullers Jr. will start for the Astros with a 1-1 record and a 6.20 ERA, indicating potential struggles against a potent Yankees lineup.
State of play: The Yankees' lineup for the game includes several key players who have been performing well.
Trent Grisham will lead off in center field, followed by Aaron Judge in right field and Cody Bellinger in left.
Ben Rice, who has hit eight home runs this season, will play first base, and Giancarlo Stanton is slotted as the designated hitter.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. recently hit his first home run of the season and will play second base.
The big picture: The Yankees are looking to capitalize on their winning momentum.
They have averaged 4.9 runs per game this season, with a batting average of .223 and 35 home runs.
Their pitching has been solid with a team ERA of 3.07, placing them among the top defenses in the league.
In comparison, the Astros have struggled with a 5.81 ERA and a .259 batting average, making them vulnerable against a strong Yankees offense.
What they're saying: Players are optimistic about their chances in the upcoming series.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. commented on his recent performance, stating, "At the end of the day, it feels good to finally get one," referring to his first home run.
Manager Aaron Boone emphasized the importance of maintaining focus, saying, "We can't get complacent; every game counts in this league."
By the numbers: Key statistics highlight the strengths and weaknesses of both teams heading into the game.
The Yankees have a six-game winning streak, with their last five games resulting in four wins, including a recent victory against Boston.
The Astros have won three of their last five games but remain fifth in the AL West, trailing behind teams like Texas and Los Angeles.
Yankees' Ben Rice ranks fifth in MLB with eight home runs, and Aaron Judge has nine homers, placing him fourth in the league.
What's next: After Friday’s matchup, the Yankees and Astros will continue their series.
The next game is scheduled for Saturday, April 25, at 7:10 p.m. ET, with Ryan Weathers expected to pitch for the Yankees against M. Burrows of the Astros.
Fans can catch all the action on YES Network, Space City Home Network, or stream via Fubo and MLB.TV.
As the Yankees aim to keep their winning streak alive, the Astros will look to disrupt their momentum and climb back into contention.