The New York Yankees (22-18 SU, +3.54 Units) are starting to slide back to earth, as they have lost six of their last seven games heading into Wednesday night. They'll look to stop the bleeding on Thursday when the Texas Rangers (16-23 SU, -2.46 Units) invade the Bronx.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Where bettors are really getting hurt with the Yankees right now is on the run-line. Not only are they 1-6 in their last seven SU, but they are also 1-6 in their last seven ATS as well, and they’ve dropped over nine units for their bettors during that stretch.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Michael Pineda is coming off of his worst start of the season. He allowed five runs on 10 hits in just 5.1 innings of work against the Royals, but is coming back home in this one where he has allowed just four runs over 20.1 innings of work in his last three starts. For the year, the righty is 5-1 with a 3.31 ERA.
Colby Lewis has actually been better on the road than he has been at home this season. He has a 2.55 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP on the road, and batters are hitting a still relatively high .261 against him. That's proof that matters could be getting even better for Lewis in spite of the fact that he allowed six runs over five frames in his last start against Cleveland.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"We continue to evaluate everything. I can't continue to just stay status quo in doing the same things when there's been a little bit of a pattern there and we haven't been successful in our bullpen consistently." – Rangers manager Jeff Banister on why he is switching to a closer by committee approach instead of sticking with the struggling Neftali Feliz
SITUATIONAL BETTING
And that of course, brings up the million dollar question. Who would you want on the mound closing a game for you if you're the Rangers? Certainly not Feliz and his 5.09 ERA. Feliz is just 6-for-9 in save chances this year, and that isn't going to cut it at the big league level.
The big problem is that the Rangers have been through just gobs of arms this year in their pen. They have already used 14 different men in relief this year, and not one has a save yet aside from Feliz. If that save situation comes up on Friday, don’t be afraid to back the Bronx Bombers.
PROP TALK
Alex Rodriguez might have 10 home runs this year, but he only has three of those homers at home. There's something about the additional pressure of playing in New York that we think is getting to A-Rod this season, especially with the standoff he’s had with his own front office over all of his home run records. Don't be shy to go against him on Friday night, especially with Lewis on the mound.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
If Texas only had a bullpen… The Rangers probably would have been our play in this game if we knew that there was someone who could nail down things in the ninth inning.
However, going against the Yankees bullpen and their two studs in Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller, we just don't see things ending well for Texas in this game.
Expect to see the Yanks rally from behind in the late innings to steal one from Texas.
New York 6, Texas 5
The baseball betting odds for this Friday game will first be available at BookMaker Sportsbook. BookMaker is going to have multiple betting options available for this televised baseball matchup. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, individual inning run totals and next hitter results. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
Need to fund your account before the big game but don't have your computer? No problem! BookMaker Sportsbook now offers a mobile betting cashier so you can deposit money directly from your smartphone or tablet. Don't miss out on getting paid because you couldn't bet. Click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The duel between the Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees will take place Friday, May 22, 2015 at 7:05 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY. Catch the action live on the MLB Network.
