Oakland Athletics vs. New York Yankees 10/3/18, Prediction & Odds

Athletics vs. Yankees Prediction

The Oakland Athletics have been one of the most surprising stories in baseball this season and they will have their opportunity to shine tonight as underdogs in the AL Wild Card Game at the New York Yankees. Is a bet on Oakland a smart play in this win-or-go-home clash?

Game Snapshot

939 Oakland Athletics at 940 New York Yankees

Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Yankee Stadium at 8PM ET

TV: TBS

Compare odds from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our newBaseball Odds & Betting Page.

 

Public Betting Information

According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Yankees are a -172 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Athletics are a +162 underdog, while the total is set at 8.5 runs. As of Wednesday morning, 56 percent of public bets are coming in on host New York. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for the latest info.

Hendriks to open for A's

Oakland plans to turn the AL Wild Card Game into a bullpen affair as Liam Hendriks (0-1, 4.13 ERA) will be the opener tonight. Oakland has had a solid bullpen all season, made even better with the trade deadline acquisition of Jeurys Familia (1.21 WHIP in 31 1/3 innings). The Athletics also boast one of the most automatic closers in baseball as Blake Treinen has a 0.78 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP with 38 saves in 80 1/3 innings. Offensively, Khris Davis remarkably hit .247 for a fourth straight season but batting average is a very small part of who he is as a hitter as he also pounded 48 home runs and drove in 123 over 576 at-bats. Matt Chapman (62 extra-base hits in 524 at-bats) and Stephen Piscotty (27 HRs, 88 RBIs in 546 at-bats) have also helped lead the Athletics offense.

Severino draws start for Yankees

New York will turn to ace Luis Severino for today's start as he comes in with a 19-8 record and 3.39 ERA plus 1.14 WHIP over 191 1/3 innings. He has struck out 220 batters. Severino was awesome in the first half of the season, but began to stumble in July as he posted a 6.58 ERA that month in 26 innings of work and followed it up with a 4.86 ERA over 33 1/3 August innings. He was somewhat better in September with a 3.98 ERA in 20 1/3 innings and has posted three straight satisfactory starts. The Yankees have received a surprising contribution from first baseman Luke Voit as he has hit 14 home runs in 132 at-bats since joining the squad. Rookie of the Year candidate Miguel Andujar has also been a big addition as he hit 27 home runs and drove in 92 in 573 at-bats. Aaron Judge suffered an injury that limited him to 112 games, but he is back after hitting 27 home runs and getting on base at a .392 clip during the regular season.

MLB Betting Trends

Oakland

The Athletics are 4-11 in their last 15 postseason games. Oakland is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.

New York

The Yankees are 72-31 in their last 94 home games. New York is 22-4 in Severino's last 26 home starts.

Prediction:

I think the A's are doing the smart thing in evening the playing field by employing a bullpen game. New York's hitters won't be able to get comfortable seeing the same pitcher for three at-bats. Instead, they will be lucky to see the same pitcher twice. With Severino struggling heavily during the second half of the season, I'm not sure I can quite trust him even after a few good starts recently. The Athletics hit a lot of home runs and they are in the perfect ballpark to hit a few here. I'm taking the underdogs to stun the Yankees in the Bronx.

 

MLB DAILY PREDICTION: OAKLAND ATHLETICS +162