New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Guardians: Odds, Prediction
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Kevin Thompkins
The New York Yankees (39-26) and the Cleveland Guardians (37-31) are set to link up for the second game of a three-game series Tuesday, and both are fully entrenched as two of the best teams in the American League thus far. The Yankees are just a half-game back of the Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the AL East, while the Guardians are 1.5 games clear of the Chicago White Sox and hold the top spot in the AL Central.
Tuesday’s game at Progressive Field in Cleveland should be a great one, so let’s break everything down and provide our best bet for the contest.
New York is a -131 favourite to win on the MLB odds, with the total set at 8.5.
Betting Analysis
The Yankees, even without Aaron Judge, have ramped up their run production over the last couple of weeks, leading their surge back to the top of the AL East. Their game total has gone over in six of their last nine games despite stellar pitching, so it’s the bats for the Bronx Bombers that are making a key difference.
The Guardians have the exact same stat as the Yankees: six of their last nine games have seen their total go over. The Guards will send out Slade Cecconi, who has the highest ERA among Cleveland’s starters, to oppose Gerrit Cole, who is still getting a bit stretched out following his return from injury.
New York Yankees
Ben Rice is powering this offence without Judge, as Rice is hitting a robust .340 with two homers and 12 RBI in the last 15 games. Add on a 1.086 OPS, and Rice is cooking. The Yankees have received contributions from Trent Grisham (.926 OPS), Jazz Chisholm and Cody Bellinger (three home runs each) as well, to go along with their sterling pitching. All five starters in their rotation currently have an ERA under 3.86, and that unit has been the bedrock of this Yankees team this season. If they can get consistent hitting to go along with this pitching, you’re looking at the contender in the American League.
Cleveland Guardians
The Guardians have gotten balanced production from everybody in their lineup, but Jose Ramirez is still one of the best in baseball at the hot corner. Add in talented youngsters Chase DeLauter, Kyle Manzardo, Brayan Rocchio and top prospect Travis Bazzana, and the Guardians’ youthful core is well positioned for success. Cleveland’s pitching has been solid with the eighth-highest ERA in baseball (3.86). The one-two punch of Gavin Williams and Parker Messick has combined for an ERA under 2.90 on the season, along with 15 wins.
MLB Prediction: Who Will Win Yankees vs. Guardians?
In three starts this season, Cole has a 2.00 ERA in 18 innings. Last Wednesday, at home against these Guardians, Cole gave up four earned runs in just 5.1 innings. He’s being worked-in slowly, as Cole hasn’t had more than 83 pitches in a start yet, but he’s been relatively successful so far.
Cecconi’s ERA sits around 4.92. To his credit, he’s much better lately, having not given up more than three earned runs in his last six starts. However, for tonight’s game, we’ll go with the Yankees and Cole on the road to take the second game of the series.
Best Bet: Yankees moneyline (-131)
NYY
CLE