Rays having trouble containing Yankees
Against all odds, the Yankees have matched their high-water mark of the season. But will a surging righty prevent them from executing a sweep today?
Jake Odorizzi and the Rays will try to halt New York’s four-game winning streak this afternoon, with a 1:05 p.m. ET first pitch in the Bronx. According to oddsmakers at online sports book Bovada.lv, Joe Girardi’s band is a slight favorite. Tampa Bay, on the other hand, enters as a -105 underdog. The over/under run figure remains at nine.
Riding a crop of fresh young talent, the Yanks are four games over .500 for the first time since July 26. Aaron Judge and Tyler Austin on Saturday became the first set of teammates to homer in their first career at-bats. Aaron Hicks added three RBIs in the 9-4 victory.
Such offensive wizardry could be harder to achieve vs. Odorizzi. Kevin Cash’s righty has arguably been the Rays’ best hurler since the All-Star break, going 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA in the past few weeks. Yet the home run ball conspired against Odorizzi in his most recent appearance, a no-decision vs. the Blue Jays.
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Luis Severino knows all about trouble with the dinger. New York’s highly regarded prospect simply can’t put it together at the major-league level in 2016. In eight starts, Severino carries a 0-7 record with a 7.78 ERA.
Yes, Tampa Bay has dropped eight of its past 12 contests. We recommend riding the hot hand on the mound, though, to bring this series to a close. Until Severino establishes fastball command, the Yanks are tasked with an uphill climb whenever he strides to the rubber.
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