Free Daily Lock Pick: NFL: Minnesota vs. Philadelphia – September 14th – (100% Confidence Release)
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A pair of teams looking ahead to 2024 are squaring off along the Allegheny River this weekend. This series between the New York Yankees (73-72 before the results of Thursday's doubleheader) and Pittsburgh Pirates (69-78) is scheduled to begin on Friday. Knowing New York's recent luck, it may get rained out. If it doesn't, the first pitch from PNC Park is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. EDT. There isn't much to watch for in terms of postseason scenarios, but be sure to keep an eye on this game. A certain someone is coming back to where it all began.
With what feels like a full 25-man roster that's taken residence in Montefiore Medical Center, calling them the New York RailRiders isn't too farfetched these days. One of the few who has endured it all is Gerrit Cole, whose first-ever start came as a Pirate in PNC Park. Some might say the 2023 AL Cy Young frontrunner is a bit better these days. This start is another chance for the New York Yankee to solidify his status. Cole returns to Pittsburgh as the AL leader in ERA, ERA+, WHIP, and innings pitched. He's also fourth in FIP and BB/9. New York has won Cole's last four starts, during which he struck out 34 batters while only walking two. Only five runs (four earned) were charged to Cole in those starts. The Yankees' bullpen will be depleted from Thursday's doubleheader, but they shouldn't have a heavy workload with Gerrit Cole on the mound to start things.
Now, if the offense decides to get a hit while Cole is pitching is another story. Last time he started, the Yankees, who began Thursday with a .225 batting average (29th), didn't get a hit until the 11th inning. That's the tale of the tape for New York, who have the seventh-most homers, fourth-highest walk rate, and nothing else at the plate. Injuries haven't helped, but this team is awful at baserunning, strikes out a lot, and routinely struggles to generate offense. They were 23rd in runs per game before Thursday's double date, but that number may go down with how they typically hit.
Free Daily Lock Pick: NFL: Minnesota vs. Philadelphia – September 14th – (100% Confidence Release) Click to see the pick now