The Bronx is never short on baseball drama, but this weekend’s meeting between the Astros and Yankees comes with layers of intrigue.

This is a matchup that’s felt bigger than just another August series for years, and with both teams trying to firm up their postseason footing, this one’s no exception. The Seattle Mariners are gaining ground, with the Astros now holding only a 1.5 game lead in the division.

Houston (64-51) sends All-Star right-hander Hunter Brown (9-5, 2.47 ERA) to the mound Friday night to open the three-game set. The Yankees counter with Cam Schlittler (1-2, 4.58), who will make just his fourth big league start. The Yankees, third in the AL East, are fighting to stay locked in to a wild card spot — and doing it under the spotlight of Aaron Judge’s return.

Judge came off the 10-day injured list on August 5, he's been dealing with a flexor strain in his right elbow. He’s just 1-for-6 in his first two games back, but the reigning AL MVP’s presence changes the shape of New York’s lineup instantly.

The Astros’ order has gotten a jolt of its own. Carlos Correa’s return at the trade deadline brought more than nostalgia — it’s brought production. The former No. 1 pick is slashing .346/.393/.538 with a .931 OPS through his first six games back in Houston. He’s already matched his June–July home run total (two) in less than a week.

Jose Altuve keeps setting the tone (19 HR, .458 slugging), while Yainer Diaz is riding a hot stretch — 12-for-35 with three homers and 10 RBIs over his last 10.

Both teams come in 4-6 over their last 10 games, but the Yankees have struggled to score, hitting just .214 in that span. The Astros, meanwhile, have quietly posted a .267 team average in their last 10 while outscoring opponents by two runs.

Friday marks the start of a stretch that could carry October implications for both clubs — and it begins under the lights in the Bronx, where the stakes feel a little higher than usual.

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -120, Yankees +101; over/under is 8 runs

Astros lineup takeaways

How will Joe Espada try to beat the Yankees? He'll start with Jeremy Pena back in the leadoff spot, followed by Jesus Sanchez who will be coving left field. Altuve will DH and hit third with Carlos Correa hitting cleanup and playing third base.

Christian Walker will play first base and hit fifth, he's followed by Yainer Diaz (C), Taylor Trammell (CF), Mauricio Dubon (2B), and finally Cam Smith. Interesting to see Smith this far down the lineup. Hopefully he can break out of his slump in this series against the Yankees.

Pretty darn good lineup if you ask me.

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