The New York Yankees (76-55, 37-30 away) and the Los Angeles Angels (65-67, 35-31 home) battle in game two of a three-game American League series on Tuesday night. The Angels took the opener Monday night, 8-7.
Tuesday’s first pitch is at 9:35 p.m. EST inside Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA. According to oddsmakers, the Yankees are a road favorite (-180), and the total run over-under is at 9.
What to Know – New York Yankees
New York won thirteen games in a row but find themselves on a three-game skid heading into Tuesday’s matchup. The Yankees are in the driver’s seat in the wild card picture, holding a two-game lead for the top wild-card spot. New York is seven games back of the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East.
The expected starter for the visitors is right-hander Jameson Taillon (8-4, 4.18 ERA, 1.23 WHIP). Taillon was rocky in his last outing, pitching only 3.1 innings and surrendering five runs on four hits and three walks in a no-decision. The 29-year old hasn’t lost a start since May 31st.
The Yankees offense ranks seventh in the majors in on-base percentage (.326) and 19th in slugging percentage (.403) to average 4.4 runs per game. Outfielder Aaron Judge has hit 29 home runs and driven in 73 runs to leads the Yankees in both categories. Designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton trails right behind Judge with 25 blasts and 70 RBIs.
What to Know – Los Angeles Angels
The Angels’ playoff chances continue to decrease each day as the franchise slips lower and lower in the standings. Los Angeles is 4-6 over their last ten contests. The Angels are fourth in the AL West and 9.5 games out of the second spot in the AL wild card.
Right-hander Jaime Barria (2-2, 5.56 ERA, 1.53 WHIP) is penciled in toe the rubber for the hosts. The 25-year old hasn’t made it past the fourth in an inning over his last three appearances on the mound. Barria fired 3.1 innings of one-run ball in his last outing, scattering five hits, walking two, and striking out two.
Offensively, Los Angeles ranks 18th in on-base (.313) and 11th in slugging (.418), scoring 4.6 runs per game. The Angeles have been without All-Star outfielder Mike Trout since mid-May with a calf strain, and it’s beginning to appear that he will be shut down for the season. Two-way star Shohei Ohtani has dazzled MLB fans in Trout’s absence, leading the MLB with 42 home runs and 90 RBIs this season.
The Pick is In
Ohtani was slated to pitch Tuesday’s contest against the Yankees but was pulled to allow his right hand to heal. While he is expected to still be in the batting lineup, it is a cause for concern as the Angels turn to the unreliable Barria on the hill.
New York was the hottest team in baseball before cooling down over the last few days, but the Yankees own advantages on the mound and on offense in this one. If you don’t want to juice here, grab the Yankees on the run line, but we will side with the safe play here.
Betting Pick: New York Yankees ML
