jimmythegreek
The opening odds start here
NYY/Tampa Bay over 4.5 -120:
As we head into the official ASB, the AL East leading Yankees (57-29) have taken the first 2 of this weekend 4 game series against Tampa Bay by the same score of 8-4, both in extra innings. Last night, Aaron Judge hit two solo HR’s, one in the first inning and later the clincher in the 10th, becoming the first Yankee to accomplish that feat since Mickey Mantle. That broke a 4 all tie and later in the inning Brett Gardner added his 13th, a 3 run insurance shot giving the outfielder a 3 for 5 night with 2 runs scored. Aaron Hicks hit a solo shot in the top of the 8th off of Colin Poche to tie the game at 4. Mike Tauchman drove in 2 with a single, while Judge, Gleyber Torres, Austin Romine, and Gio Urshela each collected 2 hits. David Hale allowed 3 hits over 2 1/3 innings walking one and striking out 2 for his second win in relief, and Aroldis Chapman recorded his 24th save in 27 opportunities. Ryne Stanek, the usual opener for the Rays took the loss in relief, surrendering 4 runs in the 10th falling to 0-2. Nate Lowe and Mike Zuzino each hit solo HR’s for TB (50-39) and Kevin Kiermaier went 2 for 5 with 2 runs driven in. The Yankees have now won 3 straight and increased their lead over the Rays to 8.5 games.
Tampa sends Blake Snell (5-7 4.87) to the hill this afternoon. The 2018 Cy Young award winner has been anything but sharp this season, but looked more like himself in his last win over Texas, 6-2 where he gave up only 2 runs on 3 hits over 6 innings striking out 12 without walking a batter. Still, the 26 year old 4th year southpaw has yielded 15 ER and 16 hits over his last 9 2/3 (13.92). Snell faces a Yankees lineup batting .266 overall averaging 5.8 runs per contest, 2 less and second behind only Minnesota, and a third best 146 HR including one in a record 31 straight earlier this season. DJ Lemahieu (.337 12 63) leads the AL in batting and RBI out of mostly the leadoff spot, and continues to bat near .500 with RISP clearly making his mark as an MVP candidate this season at his current pace. Urshela (.307 7 39) has 4 hits over his last 9 at-bats (.444) and has done most of his damage in a utility role though his playing time has certainly increased at the hot corner. Torres (.295 19 50) was a last minute selection to the all-star squad and has a 5 game hitting streak (.500). Judge (.291 9 20) is just starting to hit his stride homering 3 times last week. Gary Sanchez (.249 24 57) leads the team in power and production but is battling is worst slump of the season going just 3 for his last 30 (.100). Luke Voit (.280 17 50) is nursing an abdomen injury but should be back after the ASB.
The Bronx Bombers counter with CC Sabathia (5-4 4.04) who has won 2 straight starts including beating these same Rays back on June 19th 12-1 in this, is farewell season. CC faces a Rays lineup batting .253 overall averaging 4.6 runs per contest with 110 HR. While for years pitching has long been their mainstay, they do have balance and pop in their lineup led by Brandon Lowe (.276 16 49) who unfortunately is on the IL with an injured shin. Austin Meadows (.289 12 41) leads the club in batting and comes in with a modest 3 game hitting streak (.364). Avisail Garcia (.278 12 42) has hit safely in his last 4 (.263) and is coming off a .345 June. Yandy Diaz (.277 11 32) has cooled off a bit going just 2 for 15 (.133) over his last 4 games. Tommy Pham (.276 13 37) continues to produce right in the middle of this lineup who has hit consistently all season.
We get a bit of a higher price this afternoon at Tropicana Field, a venue which has been a long-dated eyesore in the majors since it’s relative inception. Future rumors continue to swirl that the franchise is looking for a new stadium and speculation even leaked that in the coming seasons they might split their season between Tampa Bay and Montreal subsuquently violating their lease. At 405 to dead center it is certainly more pitcher friendly than most parks but only 370 to the power alleys and about 315 to the corners. CC these days can give you 5 or 6 efficient innings but manager Aaron Boone certainly has him on a count looking to keep his availability intact preparing for the postseason. Snell at times has lost his command in relatively short starts and is looking to put together rare consecutive quality outings. Both teams have plenty of offense in their arsenal and we expect more of the same this afternoon albeit hopefully earlier than the last 2 late fireworks. Best of luck however you play!
As we head into the official ASB, the AL East leading Yankees (57-29) have taken the first 2 of this weekend 4 game series against Tampa Bay by the same score of 8-4, both in extra innings. Last night, Aaron Judge hit two solo HR’s, one in the first inning and later the clincher in the 10th, becoming the first Yankee to accomplish that feat since Mickey Mantle. That broke a 4 all tie and later in the inning Brett Gardner added his 13th, a 3 run insurance shot giving the outfielder a 3 for 5 night with 2 runs scored. Aaron Hicks hit a solo shot in the top of the 8th off of Colin Poche to tie the game at 4. Mike Tauchman drove in 2 with a single, while Judge, Gleyber Torres, Austin Romine, and Gio Urshela each collected 2 hits. David Hale allowed 3 hits over 2 1/3 innings walking one and striking out 2 for his second win in relief, and Aroldis Chapman recorded his 24th save in 27 opportunities. Ryne Stanek, the usual opener for the Rays took the loss in relief, surrendering 4 runs in the 10th falling to 0-2. Nate Lowe and Mike Zuzino each hit solo HR’s for TB (50-39) and Kevin Kiermaier went 2 for 5 with 2 runs driven in. The Yankees have now won 3 straight and increased their lead over the Rays to 8.5 games.
Tampa sends Blake Snell (5-7 4.87) to the hill this afternoon. The 2018 Cy Young award winner has been anything but sharp this season, but looked more like himself in his last win over Texas, 6-2 where he gave up only 2 runs on 3 hits over 6 innings striking out 12 without walking a batter. Still, the 26 year old 4th year southpaw has yielded 15 ER and 16 hits over his last 9 2/3 (13.92). Snell faces a Yankees lineup batting .266 overall averaging 5.8 runs per contest, 2 less and second behind only Minnesota, and a third best 146 HR including one in a record 31 straight earlier this season. DJ Lemahieu (.337 12 63) leads the AL in batting and RBI out of mostly the leadoff spot, and continues to bat near .500 with RISP clearly making his mark as an MVP candidate this season at his current pace. Urshela (.307 7 39) has 4 hits over his last 9 at-bats (.444) and has done most of his damage in a utility role though his playing time has certainly increased at the hot corner. Torres (.295 19 50) was a last minute selection to the all-star squad and has a 5 game hitting streak (.500). Judge (.291 9 20) is just starting to hit his stride homering 3 times last week. Gary Sanchez (.249 24 57) leads the team in power and production but is battling is worst slump of the season going just 3 for his last 30 (.100). Luke Voit (.280 17 50) is nursing an abdomen injury but should be back after the ASB.
The Bronx Bombers counter with CC Sabathia (5-4 4.04) who has won 2 straight starts including beating these same Rays back on June 19th 12-1 in this, is farewell season. CC faces a Rays lineup batting .253 overall averaging 4.6 runs per contest with 110 HR. While for years pitching has long been their mainstay, they do have balance and pop in their lineup led by Brandon Lowe (.276 16 49) who unfortunately is on the IL with an injured shin. Austin Meadows (.289 12 41) leads the club in batting and comes in with a modest 3 game hitting streak (.364). Avisail Garcia (.278 12 42) has hit safely in his last 4 (.263) and is coming off a .345 June. Yandy Diaz (.277 11 32) has cooled off a bit going just 2 for 15 (.133) over his last 4 games. Tommy Pham (.276 13 37) continues to produce right in the middle of this lineup who has hit consistently all season.
We get a bit of a higher price this afternoon at Tropicana Field, a venue which has been a long-dated eyesore in the majors since it’s relative inception. Future rumors continue to swirl that the franchise is looking for a new stadium and speculation even leaked that in the coming seasons they might split their season between Tampa Bay and Montreal subsuquently violating their lease. At 405 to dead center it is certainly more pitcher friendly than most parks but only 370 to the power alleys and about 315 to the corners. CC these days can give you 5 or 6 efficient innings but manager Aaron Boone certainly has him on a count looking to keep his availability intact preparing for the postseason. Snell at times has lost his command in relatively short starts and is looking to put together rare consecutive quality outings. Both teams have plenty of offense in their arsenal and we expect more of the same this afternoon albeit hopefully earlier than the last 2 late fireworks. Best of luck however you play!