Athletics vs. Yankees Odds
| Athletics Odds | +240 |
| Yankees Odds | -285 |
| Over/Under | 8 (-120 / +100) |
| Time | 1:05 p.m. ET |
| TV | MLB.TV |
| Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute MLB odds here. | |
The Oakland Athletics look to avoid being swept by the New York Yankees on Wednesday afternoon after dropping the first two games of the series.
After a bullpen meltdown on Monday and another squandered Frankie Montas gem on Tuesday, the A's are simply outmatched by the Yankees. That's obvious, but both nights they had opportunities to win. However, they did what bad teams tend to do: not win.
The A's send Cole Irvin to the mound to square off against Jameson Taillon, as the A's look to not lose on Wednesday.
Why the A's Can't Be Trusted
Irvin will be on the mound for the Athletics in the series finale, and pitching on the road has not been his thing this season.
Over 34 road innings, Irvin has posted a 5.03 ERA and a 5.92 FIP. Against a formidable Yankees lineup in a small park, this is quite a combustable pairing.
The Athletics' offense does not post the type of production that would inspire any confidence. In the past few weeks, the A's have posted an 82 team wRC+ on the road against RHP, which is 23rd in MLB. They are really struggling to find something that works.
Additionally, their bullpen has been a nightmare. Following their meltdown last Thursday and another meltdown Monday night, it's hard to have any faith that their bullpen can hold a lead of any size.
The A's simply can not be trusted.
Yanks' Offense Struggling in Some Form?
The Yankees look to Taillon, who has been struggling a bit of late. In his last three starts, Taillon has posted a 4.96 ERA and a 4.29 FIP. What's more alarming is that he's given up three home runs in his last two home starts.
Additionally, the Yankees' offense has been surprisingly weak at home against LHP over the past month. They have posted a 104 wRC+, which is 23rd in MLB. That's quite surprising considering the star power they possess.
At any rate, they're still more productive than the A's road offense against RHP by 22%. That's still a huge edge.
Speaking of edges, the Yankees' bullpen has lost a little bit of their edge, but they've still posted solid numbers over the past few weeks. Considering the Athletics' weakness on offense, they should be able to shut down Oakland when they are called upon.
Athletics-Yankees Pick
After Monday night, it's hard to back the A's in any capacity no matter how enticing their moneyline odds may be. It's also hard to see a situation where the A's can adequately contribute to a run total.
8.5 seems like a pretty fair total, but Irvin and Taillon's struggles give the over some appeal. However, the Yankees would probably have to carry that total.
The best and most logical bet here is probably the Yankees' runline. It's at -1.5 for -125 and if it stays in that neighborhood, it should be the play at -140 or better.
Pick: Yankees RL -125
