The ALCS resumes tonight with Game 2 in Houston, and Thursday Night Football will feature a competitive NFC matchup between a couple of 2-4 teams to begin Week 7 of the NFL season. Here’s a look at all the action on tap for tonight.

Yankees Hope To Avoid 2-0 Deficit In Houston

The New York Yankees and Houston Astros meet again tonight at Minute Maid Park, with the home team leading the best-of-seven series 1-0. The Yankees are now 3-3 in the postseason after last night’s 4-2 loss in Game 1.

They only managed five hits on the night and were dominated for six innings by the Astros’ Justin Verlander, who struck out 11 batters in six innings pitched. New York’s two runs were on solo homers by Anthony Rizzo and Harrison Bader, who hit his third long ball of the playoffs. 

Houston is 4-0 in the postseason and has won eight of its last nine games overall. Yuli Gurriel broke a 1-1 tie with a sixth-inning home run in last night’s win for the AL West champions. Jeremy Pena also went deep in the seventh to give the Astros a little insurance. This is the sixth straight ALCS appearance for Houston, who is battling the Yankees for the pennant for the first time since the 2019 playoffs.  

Luis Severino will make his second playoff start for New York. He had a no-decision in his game against Cleveland, giving up three runs in 5.2 innings. Houston will send Framber Valdez to the mound, who had the same result against the Mariners, with two earned runs allowed in 5.2 innings pitched in their 4-2 victory last week.

Houston wins to take a 2-0 series lead. 

Saints Battle Cardinals In NFC Matchup

The New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals clash on Thursday night to kick off Week 7 in the NFL. Both teams are 2-4 on the season and desperate to get back into the win column after losses on Sunday.

The Saints are still in a close race for position in the NFC South and are a game behind the Tampa bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons, who are at the top of the standings. They were defeated by the Cincinnati Bengals 30-26 in Week 6 for their third loss in four home games. 

Jameis Winston has missed the last three games for the Saints and was limited this week in practice. Andy Dalton has also taken limited snaps this week with a back injury, but will likely make another start for New Orleans tonight. 

The Cardinals will try to avoid their ninth straight loss at State Farm Stadium, where they haven’t won since Week 7 in 2021. That win was their seventh straight to begin last season, and the Cardinals have struggled ever since.

Arizona started this season with playoff aspirations but isn’t yet close to the level they need to be if they hope to make the postseason. Time could be running out for the Cardinals, who can’t afford another home loss on Thursday night, which could close the book on their season earlier than anyone imagined. 

Arizona didn’t score a touchdown in their 19-9 loss to Seattle last Sunday and couldn’t sustain any drives. They could also struggle against New Orleans, whose defense is ranked fifth in the league on third downs. However, WR DeAndre Hopkins is back tonight after serving a six-game suspension. 

Arizona wins to snap its home losing streak.