Rodriguez says goodbye as Yanks, Rays clash
Despite the Fenway Park setting, Alex Rodriguez’s penultimate game in pinstripes turned out to be a rather pedestrian affair. But will No. 13 finish with a flourish at Yankee Stadium?
The slugger’s farewell takes place in tonight’s New York-Tampa Bay series opener. Handicappers, however, don’t like the Bronx Bombers’ chances of sending him off in style. Online sports book Bovada.lv lists the Rays as 1.5-run favorites, whereas Joe Girardi’s crew nets odds of -103 to triumph. The over/under run figure rests at 8.5.
An 0-for-4 performance in Thursday’s 4-2 win at Boston dropped Rodriguez’s batting average to .199. The former American League MVP did notch his first RBI since July 30, though, giving him 30 for the season. Rodriguez also boasts two career homers against this evening’s starter, Chris Archer (6-15, 4.26 ERA).
After a miserable first half, Tampa Bay’s ace seems to have righted the ship. Most recently, he limited the surging Twins to one run and three hits across six innings. The North Carolina native owns a 5-3 record with a 0.92 WHIP in 11 lifetime outings vs. the Yanks.
MLB Quick Links: Scores & Matchups | Injuries | Odds Comparison | Betting Trends | ATS Stats
Girardi counters with CC Sabathia (6-9, 4.18), whose home struggles persist. The veteran southpaw is 1-6 with a 4.82 ERA in the city that never sleeps. In fact, he’s captured just one victory over the past seven weeks.
With assorted family members along for the ride, Rodriguez certainly wants to destroy another Archer fastball or two. Yet the onus falls on the likes of Jacoby Ellsbury and Didi Gregorius to keep 58-56 New York in the thick of the wild-card race. They’ll comply, ensuring a satisfying narrative all the way around.
FRIDAY MLB FREE PICK: YANKEES +1.5