New York Yankees (78-51) vs. Los Angeles Angels (56-73)
The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels close their three-game series on Wednesday. Los Angeles won the opener of the series, earning a 4-3 victory on Monday. The second game of the series was not concluded prior to this preview being written. The home team has won the first four meetings between these clubs.
New York enters as the prohibitive favorite at -200 with the odds set for the Angels at +170. When giving up 1.5 runs, the Yankees odds are set at -115 while Los Angeles is at -105. The total is 7.5 (over: -115, under: -105).
With the loss on Monday, New York now drops to 14-23 since the All-Star break. That has helped Tampa Bay to pull within 7.0 games of the Yankees entering Tuesday nights competition while Toronto is just 8.0 out. Both clubs were trailing by double digits just three weeks ago.
50. History. @TheJudge44 ????? pic.twitter.com/otSV4E6QUU
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 30, 2022
The Yankees are still third in runs allowed per game (3.50), including third in opponent batting average (.219) and in opponent OPS (.639). However, it has been the pitching staff that has faltered since the break, posting a 3.89 ERA in 37 games. The Yankees pitching staff has looked better in the nine games leading up to Tuesday’s game, allowing 23 runs total during that span. It will be up to ace Gerritt Cole to keep that momentum going. Cole is 10-6 with a 3.31 ERA in 26 starts. He has allowed one or fewer runs in three of his last four starts, giving up seven total runs in his last 26.1 innings.
New York still has one of the top offenses in baseball, third in runs per game (5.00), and first in total home runs (202). Star outfielder Aaron Judge hit the 50-homerun plateau on Monday and easily leads baseball in home runs this season. However, he has seen his batting average dip below .300 with a .277 batting average in August, hitting eight home runs in 25 games. The pressure is on for the youngster.