New York Yankees revenge-minded favorites

The New York Yankees hold down first place in the American League East, however that will be only one the things they will have on their minds as Boston comes to town for consequential four-game series. New York is 0 for 2009 against the Red Sox, having lost eight games to them and they fully realized many more losses could cost them coveted division crown.

With the Yankees having been outscored 55-31 by the BoSox this season, manager Joe Girardi framed succinctly what these games mean. “You want to get that zero, that goose egg out of there,” Girardi said. “We’re going to be asked about that goose egg as long as it’s there, so you want to get that out of the way as soon as possible.”

After playing sloppy baseball the first three games in Chicago, New York won the last contest against the White Sox and swept Toronto 2-0, including taking down Yankee-killer Roy Halladay. This has to give Girardi’s club a mental boost and they are 14-2 after six or more consecutive road games this season.

Boston (62-44, +3 units) limps into the Big Apple, after losing two to Tampa Bay, falling further behind the Bronx Bombers and letting the Rays narrow the gap for wild card to three games. The Red Sox offense has been inconsistent all season on the road, scoring 4.8 runs per game, but tending to do it bunches. This accounts for 27-27 record and they are only 18-29 playing against a team with win percentage of 54-to-62 percent in the second half of the season since last year.

Boston will be at another disadvantage, as pickup John Smoltz (2-4, 7.12 ERA) has been totally ineffective. In his last three starts, Smoltz has ERA of 9.18 and has been tagged for six home runs, not exactly recipe for success at long ball-friendly Yankee Stadium. Though the former Atlanta hurler didn’t walk a batter, he is 1-8 after allowing no free passes over the last two seasons. (Team's Record)

The Yanks Joba Chamberlain (7-2, 3.58 ERA) by contrast has been amazingly effective. He’s come up with several big performances when New York has needed them and in last three starts, he has 0.83 ERA over 21 innings, surrendering just eight hits, posting three wins. Chamberlain and his pin-striped teammates are 14-3 in his last 17 starts in the Bronx.

Sports bettors are pounding the money line at Bookmaker.com on New York, now up to -200 after opening at -170, with the total relatively stable at Un10. The Red Sox should have confidence based on this year’s results and are 22-7 vs. AL teams scoring 5.2 or more runs a game on the season. New York returns home feeling much the same way on three game winning streak. The Yankees are 20-6 off a victory and have won 27 of last 37 encounters. They have had their way with right-hand starters with sensational 17-4 record.

First pitch is set for 7:05 Eastern and though public perception is these rivals always play high-scoring games, they are 9-9 against the total playing in New York.

MLB Series Wagering - Mets at Yankees

Neither the Mets nor the Yankees return to the Big Apple in the best of moods after suffering series’ losses in what has amounted to rivalry week for both teams. The Mets lost series to Philadelphia, giving them six losses in last nine contests. The Yankees were swept in Boston and are 0-8 against the Red Sox in 2009.

Though players typically try and down play the significance of these types of interleague games, the fact is this is New York and they can’t help being caught up in the maelstrom with rabid fans and media descending on them. Both scuffling clubs will bring positives into the Subway Series, as the Metropolitans (31-27, -0.3 units) are 23-8 in road games when playing on Friday since 2007 and the Yanks are 15-3 at home after batting .240 or worse over a 10-game span.

Livan Hernandez (5-1, 3.88 ERA) has experienced a career renaissance this season, being picked up late by the Mets who needed a fifth starter. Pitching at Citi Field has helped the well-traveled veteran right-hander; however he’s performed above average on the road with 3-1 and serviceable 4.07 ERA. Hernandez has been downright awesome in his last three starts, with a 1.66 earned run average, which included complete game and seven shutout innings, thou both were against woeful Washington. He’s been moved up one day since John Maine was placed on DL Thursday, yet at least still had four days between starts. Hernandez is 18-10 (+12.1 Units) against the money line in the first half of the season over the last two seasons. (Team's Record)

The Yankees (34-26, -2.8 units) counter with Joba Chamberlain (3-1, 3.39), who will not have to face dangerous hitters like Carlos Delgado or Jose Reyes, who are both disabled. The Bronx Bombers have been anything but, losing five of last eight games and scoring 4.2 runs per game in the process. The Yanks are 18-11 in their new home and part of Chamberlain’s job will be to keep the ball in the yard. Balls have been flying over the fence at Coors Field pace. Chamberlain has been about average (which is good at the new Yankee Stadium), surrendering a total of seven homers in his 11 games pitched. New York and the big right-hander are 7-1 in last eight starts at Yankee Stadium.

DiamondSportsbook.com has the home-standing team in the pinstripes as -220 money line favorites with total Un10.5. The Yankees have the best record in baseball in interleague play at 124-89 (.582) and are 45-17 as a favorite of -201 or greater. Watch the total on this one, since the Mets are 11-1 OVER on the road after three or more consecutive home games and the Yankees are 13-2 OVER at home after a one run loss.

Game 1 Edge: Yankees

The middle encounter will be a Fox Sports afternoon affair. At this time, the presumed fill-in starter for the Mets will be Fernanado Nieve, who pitched two scoreless innings out of the bullpen this season for the Mets after they called him up from Triple-A Buffalo on June 6. Nieve is a hard throwing righty, who has shown proclivity to hit a lot of bats in his major league stints. Most likely, manager Jerry Manual will have to go to bullpen, which has been an issue for the Yankees who are 2-9 vs. an excellent bullpen whose ERA is 3.00 or better this season. Andy Pettitte (6-2, 4.22) will go the Yankees, who’s not found the new ballpark to his liking. More balls fly out to right field and Pettitte’s ERA is 5.40 at home compared to 2.58 on the road. The Yanks are 29-13 when the veteran lefty is a Game 2 starter and they are 8-2 versus their city rival when he takes the hill.

Game 2 Edge: Yankees

Amazingly, this won’t be the Sunday night game, probably because ESPN didn’t want to cut in on NBA Finals action. The series finale expects to be a good pitching matchup with Johan Santana (8-3, 2.39) battling A.J. Burnett (4-3, 4.89). Both pitchers are coming off less than impressive efforts, with Santana tying a career high in allowing four home runs, yet pitched well enough to pick up the win. Burnett was too amped or too strong, walking five and allowing five runs (three earned) in just 2 2/3 innings, in 7-0 loss at Boston. Day games have favored the Yankees who are 13-9 coming into the series, compared to the Mets 8-11 mark.

Game 3 Edge: Mets

Despite having the best record in interleague action, the Yankees are 19-17 against the Mets since 2003. Don’t see this as being deterrent, as Joe Girardi’s club will want to put Boston series behind them. The key game will be the opener and don’t see New York losing. (OK, I’m doing anything to improve my record, make it the Yankees) With the Bombers favored big in the first two contests, backing both and keeping fingers crossed they deliver a series win.

DiamondSportsbook.com series odds: Mets +200, Yankees -260

3DW Pick: Yankees

2009 Record – 2-6

Yankees favored in Cleveland Monday

The New York Yankees go for the series win in game number four against Cleveland, trying to maintain lead over Boston for first place in the American League East. New York came back from a four run deficit Sunday, thanks to Mark Teixeira’s four runs batted in. Teixeira now has a 13-game hitting streak, off a bad start and is hitting .400 (22 for 55) with eight homers and 20 RBIs during his streak.

However, a lead off walk by reliever Phil Coke ended up setting the table for Cleveland’s Jhonny Peralta, who drove in the winning run with his third hit of the day giving the Indians a 5-4 walk-off win.

The Yankees (29-21, -0.5 units) will turn to Joba Chamberlain (2-1, 3.97 ERA) looking for the series win, after winning first two contests. The young right-hander had another shaky start in his last outing Tuesday at Texas, allowing three runs over four innings with four walks. Chamberlain has ERA of 10.00 in the first inning this season in his nine starts. “Plain and simple, I was terrible,” he said. “I’ve got to do a better job of keeping the team in the game.”

New York has won the last six times they have played in Game 4 of a series and they have captured 14 of last 18 tilts during this run. With Chamberlain on the mound, the Yanks are 8-2 against teams with losing records and 13-4 when favored.

Cleveland (22-30, -8.8) will counter Jeremy Sowers (1-2, 7.71) who returns to the starting rotation. Sowers was dreadful with 0-2 record and 12.00 ERA, in two spot starts in May. He redeemed himself in part last Monday, tossing five scoreless innings in relief, in unfathomable 11-10 win against Tampa Bay. That was the left-hander’s first career stint out of the bullpen.

Sowers and the Tribe are 1-6 when he starts the game versus a team with winning record.
The early line from DiamondSportsbook.com has New York as -160 money line favorites with the total Un10. The Bronx Bombers are 7-1 against lefty starters, with matching record on the road if total is between 9 and 10.5 runs. Cleveland, despite their troubles this campaign, is 10-4 as home underdogs, though 6-15 in that role if Sowers is pitcher.

The Yankees are 7-3-1 OVER when Chamberlain toes the rubber and the Indians are 20-7 OVER as underdogs. It should be noted, nine of last dozen at Progressive Field between these teams have gone UNDER.

This is ESPN contest, which starts at 7:05 Eastern and if you follow baseball on the days of the week, New York is 5-13 in last 18 Monday affairs and the Tribe are 11-4 on the first day of the work week.