The Baltimore Orioles (46-45, -$110) are hopeful that a narrow 3-0 victory over the Tigers on Saturday will help them get back on track so they can gain ground against the division leading New York Yankees (50-41, $109).
ODDS ANALYSIS
After their first game back from the All-Star break, the Orioles had dropped six of their last seven games and 11 for their last 14, falling under-.500. They, however, bounced back against the Tigers to win back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday, taking the series.
The Birds’ biggest struggle of late has been hitting with runners in scoring position. The team performed better on Sunday, but prior to that was just nine for their last 102 in that category, relying almost exclusively on the long ball to score. That has decreased the team’s run production considerably as—prior to Sunday’s nine run outburst—they’ve scored more than three runs in a game just once in their last eight.
On the other side, the Yankees’ have won six of their last eight games, though on the year, these two teams have met 10 times, splitting them five apiece.
PITCHING MATCHUP
The Orioles will kick off their series with the Yankees by sending Wei-Yin Chen to the hill on Tuesday while New York will start Nathan Eovaldi in his first start since the break.
Despite a 4-5 record, Chen has been the O’s most consistent starter this year with a 2.78 ERA and 1.091 WHIP over 110 innings of work, spanning 17 starts.
He’s struggled a bit against the Yankees in his career however, with a 4.76 ERA and 1.244 WHIP. At Yankee Stadium, his ERA is a bit better at 4.15.
On the other side, Eovaldi brings heat, but not always the control he needs to dominate. Eovaldi actually leads the team in wins—tied with Pineda—with nine, but his ERA is 4.50 and WHIP is 1.520.
Generally, Eovaldi struggles going deep in games. He has just three quality starts in his last nine games. Against the O’s this year, he’s allowed five runs in 10 2/3 innings though he has a win and no-decision in his two games against them.
QUOTE TO NOTE
After Chen’s last start on Sunday before the break, Matt Wieters spoke about the team’s struggles, saying:
“We haven’t really felt like we’ve been able to hit on all cylinders, where offense and pitching has kind of clicked together.”
The click came July 19 with the offense finally returning to form.
LIVE/SITUATIONAL BETTING
Baltimore hopes that the offensive explosion on Sunday propels the team’s offense going forward.
In Sunday’s game, Jonathan Schoop collected his fourth multi-hit effort in his ninth game since rejoining the active roster following injury.
Overall, the Orioles are still one of the better offenses in the game with 393 runs scored, ranking seventh in baseball. The team also has hit 111 home runs.
Individually, Manny Machado is leading the way with a .906 OPS and 20 home runs in his age 22 season. Adam Jones (.821 OPS) and Jimmy Paredes (.797 OPS) have also had big years, giving the team a killer top of the lineup.
While the Orioles offense overall has been good, the Yankees have been better.
New York is second only to the Blue Jays in runs with 416 and second to the Astros in home runs with 119.
The Yankees have gotten bounce back years from a number of older veterans including Alex Rodriguez (.898 OPS), Mark Teixeira (.879 OPS) and Brian McCann (.804 OPS). While their presence in the heart of the order strikes fear in opposing pitchers’ hearts, the top of the order is just as impressive.
Now that Jacoby Ellsbury is back, the team has two top-quality table-setters with Ellsbury getting on base at a .391 clip while Brett Gardner slides down to number two in the order with his .377 OBP.
PROP TALK
Eovaldi’s only matchups against the Orioles have come this season so naturally few Baltimore players have many at bats against him. Despite that, one has managed to accumulate four hits in just five at bats, that is Caleb Joseph.
With Matt Wieters back in the fold, he is likely to get the start, but if Joseph goes, he could be a good sleeper pick in prop bets, particularly considering he also has a home run in those five at bats.
Also look to Jacoby Ellsbury to have a good day against Chen with him 7 for 19 in his career against the O’s southpaw.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
This should be a good game as both teams have solid offenses. The pitching is the real question for each team in this one.
While Eovaldi has not pitched particularly well against the O’s in his first two games this year, he has a win. He also has very good supporting cast behind him with a good bullpen featuring Andrew Miller (1.44 ERA) and Dellin Betances (1.47 ERA).
Add to all this the fact that aside from Sunday, the O’s offense has been in a free fall and I am going with the Yankees to secure the narrow victory.
New York 5, Baltimore 4
The MLB lines for this contest will first be released by BookMaker Sportsbook. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time moneylines, player props and inning totals. Live betting is open during every commercial break!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The ballgame pitting the Baltimore Orioles versus the New York Yankees will commence Tuesday, July 21, 2015, at 7:05 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium. You can watch the contest live on the MLB Network.
