MLB Friday August 27th Yankees at Athletics Betting Preview
Does the Streak Come to an End for New York?
New York hopes to keep chugging along as they head into the August 27th Yankees at Athletics meeting. Aaron Boone’s team has now run their winning streak to a dozen after opening up the weekend series in Oakland with a 7-6 win as -114 favorites.
Things don’t get any easier for the reeling A’s, who have now lost five in a row at the most inopportune time of the season. Oakland now has to snap that skid against Gerrit Cole who has allowed just a single ER in his two starts since coming back from the COVID list. Streaks don’t last forever (good or bad) but how about one more night?
Yankees Look Too Good Tonight?
What’s not to like about New York heading into the August 27th Yankees at Athletics pick? New York is red hot, trying to hunt down the Rays to stay out of the wild card game (4GB), and send Cole (12-6, 2.92 ERA) to the bump. Not to mention, they play a team in disarray as the A’s bullpen has taken the loss in 4 of their last 5.
Cole gave up 2 hits and 1 ER over 5.2 IP against the Angels in his first start back from landing on the COVID list. He followed that up by throwing 6.0 innings of shutout ball in a win over the Twins. That being said, the Yankees have largely been a trap play when Cole takes the mound, losing 5 of his last 9 starts. The Newport Beach native is also 2-0 with a 3.50 ERA pitching in Oakland.
Regardless of what Cole does or doesn’t do Friday night, how do you not like this Yankees offense to pick up the slack right now? Oakland fought back to tie things up 6-6 on Thursday, but Aaron Judge sealed the deal with a bloop single in the 9th while Aroldis Chapman finished the bottom of the frame.
Is Oakland Demoralized Beyond Repair?
The A’s have been victims of some bad breaks and some bad performances from the back end of their pitching staff. Closer Lou Triviano has now taken the loss in three straight appearances, giving up 6 ER over that span.
How does Bob Melvin have any confidence turning the ball over to his bullpen on Friday night? That’s putting a lot of pressure on Sean Manaea (8-8, 3.77 ERA) who took the loss that started the A’s on this dive. Manaea gave up 2 ER over 4.2 IP in his last start vs. San Francisco, but also gave up 7 ER to the Rangers the start before.
Another question is how the A’s can get enough run support going against Cole if Manaea struggles again? Oakland has just a .156 team BA (17 for 109) against the right-hander.
August 27th Yankees at Athletics Pick
It’s very, very hard to go against the Yankees on any night right now. The team just has momentum oozing out of its pores and is finding a way for each of the last dozen. That being said, if there was ever a time the baseball Gods decide that the streak ends, it’s on Friday night with Cole on the mound and the A’s in a rut.
Yankees 3 – Athletics 5
Pick: Athletics +142
