New York Yankees (76-48) vs. Oakland Athletics (45-79)
The New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics begin a four-game set starting on Thursday. These clubs are at opposite ends in their divisions, as the New York Yankees hold the top record in the AL East, 8.0 games ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays. The Oakland Athletics are at the bottom of the AL West, 34.0 games behind the Houston Astros.
New York enters as the prohibitive favorite at -230 with the odds set for Oakland at +185. When giving up 1.5 runs, the Yankees are still the favorite at -120 while the Athletics are at +100 when receiving 1.5 runs. The total is set at 7.0 (over: -120, under: +100). These teams have played each other three times this season, with the Yankees sweeping the series in New York (June 27-29).
The Yankees were in a terrible tailspin coming out of the All-Star break, going 9-20 through their first 29 games, giving both Tampa Bay and Toronto hopes that they could catch New York for the top record in the division while also allowing Houston to pass them for the top record in the American League. However, the Yankees dispatched the New York Mets earlier this week, taking both games of the series, and have won three straight games by identical 4-2 scores.
Bronx Beauty. #RepBX pic.twitter.com/jddzivecBT
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 24, 2022
New York is still one of the best all-around teams in baseball, second in runs per game (5.02) and third in runs allowed per contest (3.50). However, the numbers have not been as impressive since the break. New York has a 4.03 ERA, 19th overall while producing 124 runs in 32 games, an average of 3.88 runs per contest. The one thing the Yankees do well is home runs, hitting 42 in their last 32 games and leading the league with 199 in 124 games. However, a .227 batting average and .305 on-base percentage since the break is hurting run production for this club.
The Yankees have not named their starter for this contest as Luis Severino and Stephen Ridings are both out until mid-September was arm injuries. New York may be forced to lean on their bullpen, which is not a bad thing as they have the top group in baseball with a 2.97 ERA. New York’s relief corps has allowed just 28 home runs in 427 innings pitched.