Pettitte Takes on M’s
After a convincing shutout victory, a tight one-run win and the return of their best player, things are looking up for the New York Yankees.
The Seattle Mariners, meanwhile, are still looking miserable.
The Yankees will look to win their third straight game for the first time since sweeping the Mariners earlier this month when they begin a three-game set on Friday night in the Bronx.
Oddsmakers from Sportsbook.com have made New York -122 money line favorites (MLB Odds) for tonight’s game, the over/under has been set at 8.5 total runs (Matchup). Current public betting information shows that 65% of bets for this game have been placed on New York -122 (View MLB Bet Percentages). Bet this game.
New York (22-25) was two games above .500 on April 28, but third baseman Alex Rodriguez missed the team’s game at Detroit on April 29 and was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right quadriceps a day later.
Without the reigning AL MVP in their lineup, the Yankees went 6-11. Despite a Rodriguez homer in his return Tuesday, they were pounded 12-2 by Baltimore, their fourth straight loss.
But Rodriguez had three hits – including a home run – on Wednesday in an 8-0 win, then Ian Kennedy delivered an impressive start Thursday in their 2-1 victory.
With the game tied, manager Joe Girardi came out to argue first baseman Jason Giambi’s being called out on a foul tip in the ninth, and two batters later, Robinson Cano drove in the winning run.
"Joe got fired up and I guess it got us fired up," Giambi said.
Rodriguez went 0-for-4 on Thursday, but was 4-for-7 with two homers and four RBIs in the series’ other two games. He’ll likely enjoy seeing Seattle (18-30), his former team, heading into town. Rodriguez hit three homers and drove in five during their last trip to the Bronx.
Andy Pettitte (3-5, 4.42 ERA), however, hasn’t fared so well in his career against Seattle. The left-hander is 2-7 with a 5.01 ERA versus the Mariners since 2000.
Pettitte can’t seem to get a win regardless of his opponent lately. After winning three of his first four starts, Pettitte is 0-4 with a 6.26 ERA in his last five outings.
He went six innings on Saturday against the Mets and allowed three runs in the Yankees’ 7-4 loss.
"I know what I’m supposed to do," Pettitte told the team’s official Web site. "For me, I’m sick of thinking about taking positives here. I just want to win a game and try to help this team win. If I don’t do that, I’m not going to be happy."
Nothing much has made Seattle manager John McLaren happy lately. The Mariners, expected by many to contend in the AL West, have the league’s worst record and one of baseball’s worst pitching staffs.
Seattle’s 4.68 ERA is baseball’s fourth-worst, though that figure wasn’t nearly as bad before McLaren’s team headed to Detroit.
The Mariners allowed 30 runs in three games to the Tigers and were swept after a 9-2 loss on Thursday.
"We put ourselves in the hole every night,” McLaren said. "I know we are capable of winning, but we just aren’t doing it. There’s no easy fix – we are just in a rut."
Seattle will try to end its five-game losing streak at Yankee Stadium by turning to its best pitcher, Erik Bedard (3-2, 3.24). The left-hander is coming off his most impressive effort of the season on Saturday, when he allowed two runs over eight innings against San Diego and struck out 10 in a 4-2 win.
Bedard is 1-2 with a 2.87 ERA in six starts in the Bronx. He went seven innings, allowing three runs – one earned – but lost 5-1 on May 2, his first start there in a Mariners uniform after five seasons with Baltimore. Bet this game.
Get real live customizable updates, public betting info from 6 online sports books, archived public betting info and much more by clicking here.