L.A. Angels (5-3) at N.Y. Yankees (6-2)
The Yankees try again to wrap up the best-of-7 American League Championship Series and punch their ticket to the World Series when they send veteran Andy Pettitte (15-8, 4.08 ERA) to the hill opposite the Angels’ Joe Saunders (16-7, 4.52) in a battle of southpaws in new Yankee Stadium.
The Angels staved off elimination with Thursday’s 7-6 victory in a wild Game 5 in Anaheim, Calif. Los Angeles tallied four runs before an out was recorded in the bottom of the first inning, then the Yankees came back with a six-spot in the top of the seventh to grab a 6-4 lead, only to see the Angels score three times in the bottom of the seventh to regain the advantage. Although L.A. closer Brian Fuentes loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the ninth, the lefty got Nick Swisher to pop out to shortstop to end the game and send this series back to the Bronx with New York holding a 3-2 advantage
Although the Angels trail in this ALCS, they’ve still won 12 of 15 overall going back to the regular season. Mike Scioscia’s club is on additional hot streaks of 5-2 on the road, 37-15 against left-handed starters, 49-23 following a victory and 4-1 after a day off. However, L.A. has lost seven of nine as an underdog and four of its last five on Saturday. Additionally, the Halos remain in playoff slumps of 6-13 overall, 2-6 on the road, 2-7 in the ALCS and 2-8 as a ‘dog. Although, the Angels bounced longtime playoff nemesis Boston in three games in the first round, this is just their sixth-ever appearance in the ALCS, having lost four of the first five.
New York, which hasn’t won the World Series since 2000, is on impressive runs of 47-19 overall, 40-11 at home, 39-12 as a favorite, 12-4 after a defeat, 5-2 on Saturday, 36-15 against lefty starters and 46-19 versus winning teams. The Yankees have won all four home playoff games this month and are 6-0 as a favorite in this postseason. However, the last time Bronx Bombers were in the ALCS, they blew a 3-0 series lead to the Red Sox in 2004.
The Yankees have still won five of the last seven meetings in this rivalry and they’re 8-7 in 15 clashes in 2009. New York has also taken seven of eight from Los Angeles in the Bronx. In fact, the host is 18-5 in the last 23 clashes between these clubs going back to the beginning of last August, including 11-4 this season and 4-1 in this ALCS.
These rivals have met just twice previously in postseason play, both in the best-of-5 divisional round, and the Angels won both times in 2002 and 2005.
Saunders gave a solid effort in Game 2 in New York six days ago, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out five over seven innings, but the Angels fell 4-3 in 13 innings. That ended a three-game winning streak the Angels had with Saunders pitching. Still, L.A. is 44-20 in his last 64 starts overall (7-2 last nine), 10-4 in his last 14 against the A.L. East and 5-2 both in his last seven road starts and his last seven on Saturday. However, they’ve dropped five of Saunders’ last seven as an underdog.
Including his Game 2 start, Saunders has allowed two earned runs or fewer in eight of his last nine outings, giving up just three earned runs in the other contest. He’s now 8-4 with a 4.94 ERA in 16 road efforts this season and 2-1 with a 5.55 ERA in six career starts versus the Yankees, with the Halos winning four of those six games.
Pettitte cruised through five scoreless innings in Game 3 in Los Angeles on Monday, then served up a three-run homer to Vladimir Guerrero in the top of the sixth inning to tie the game. He went on to pitch 6 1/3 innings, giving up those three runs on seven hits, but the Angels eventually pulled out a 5-4, 11-inning victory. New York is now 1-6 in Pettitte’s seven starts against the Angels since the beginning of the 2008 season, including 0-3 in the last three (all this year). In those seven contests, Pettitte has given up 33 runs (32 earned) in 39 1/3 innings (7.32 ERA).
Despite the Game 3 defeat, the Yankees are still on several positive runs with Pettitte pitching, including 9-4 overall, 78-38 at home, 7-1 as a favorite and 6-0 when he pitches on four days’ rest. The 38-year-old veteran is 6-4 with a 4.59 ERA in 16 starts at new Yankee Stadium, with this being his first postseason start there. Additionally, Pettitte – the all-time leader in playoff victories – is 15-9 with a 3.90 ERA in 37 career postseason starts, including 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA in two outings this season and 6-2 with a 4.14 ERA in 12 League Championship Series starts.
With Saunders pitching, the Angels sport “over” trends of 16-6 overall, 8-3 on the road, 9-3-1 against the A.L. East, 6-1 as an underdog and 11-3 against winning teams. Conversely, behind Pettitte, the under is on stretches of 54-24-3 overall, 9-3 at home, 45-20-1 as a favorite and 9-3-1 against the A.L. West. However, Pettitte’s last five home starts against the Angels have topped the total, and his start in Game 3 in Anaheim barely went over.
Los Angeles is on “under” runs of 27-10-2 overall, 15-3 on the highway, 6-1 on Saturday, 4-1-1 versus lefty starters, 5-2 as an underdog, 7-1-2 in road playoff games and 6-0 in ALCS road contests. New York carries a bunch of team “under” streaks as well, including 10-4-2 overall, 9-1-1 at home, 12-3-1 as a favorite, 5-1-1 against lefty starters, 5-2-2 in the playoffs, 4-0-1 in home playoff games, 4-1 in ALCS home games, 4-1-1 after a day off and 3-1-1 on Saturday.
Finally, the over is 19-9-1 in the last 29 meetings between these squads, but while the last three games in Anaheim soared over the posted price, Games 1 and 2 at Yankee Stadium stayed low.
ATS ADVANTAGE: N.Y. YANKEES and UNDER
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Tips and Trends
Los Angeles Angels at New York Yankees
Angels: Temperatures are expected to be higher than they were in the first two ALCS games at Yankee Stadium between the two teams, but there is a strong possibility of rain and possible heavy wind. The Angels have some momentum following Thursday night’s Game 5 win. Los Angeles has won 12 of its last 16. The Angels are 10-3 the past 13 times they’ve been an underdog in the plus $1.51-to-$2.00 range. Los Angeles is 38-17 in its last 55 road games versus a left-handed starter. The Angels have dropped seven of their last eight at Yankee Stadium. The Angels are 44-20 in Joe Saunders’ past 64 starts. Saunders pitched through the seventh during Game 2 giving up two runs on six hits with five strikeouts. Sanders, though, has a lifetime 6.28 ERA versus New York. The over has cashed in 16 of Sanders’ past 22 starts.
The Under is 7-1-2 in the Angels’ last 10 playoff road games.
The teams are 19-9-1 to the over in their past 29 meetings.
Key Injuries - None
PROJECTED SCORE: 4
Yankees (-$1.75, O/U 9): The last time the Yankees were in the ALCS in 2004, they lost a series to Boston after being up 3-0. That could be on the mind of the New York players. The Yankees have won 40 of their past 51 home contests. Southpaw Andy Pettitte didn’t get a decision pitching against the Angels this past Monday, giving up three earned runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings. He was tagged for two homers. Pettitte is 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA during the postseason after going 14-8 with a 4.16 ERA in the regular season. The Yankees are 6-0 the last six times Pettitte has started with four days of rest. New York also is 7-1 the last eight times it has been favored with Pettitte on the hill. Pettitte, though, was 6-4 with a 4.59 ERA at home compared to 9-4 with a 3.61 ERA on the road.
The Under is 9-1-1 in New York’s last 11 home games.
The Under has cashed in 9 of Pettitte’s last 12 home starts.
Key Injuries - None
PROJECTED SCORE: 5 (Side of the Day)
Tips and Trends
Los Angeles Angels at New York Yankees
Angels: Temperatures are expected to be higher than they were in the first two ALCS games at Yankee Stadium between the two teams, but there is a strong possibility of rain and possible heavy wind. The Angels have some momentum following Thursday night’s Game 5 win. Los Angeles has won 12 of its last 16. The Angels are 10-3 the past 13 times they’ve been an underdog in the plus $1.51-to-$2.00 range. Los Angeles is 38-17 in its last 55 road games versus a left-handed starter. The Angels have dropped seven of their last eight at Yankee Stadium. The Angels are 44-20 in Joe Saunders’ past 64 starts. Saunders pitched through the seventh during Game 2 giving up two runs on six hits with five strikeouts. Sanders, though, has a lifetime 6.28 ERA versus New York. The over has cashed in 16 of Sanders’ past 22 starts.
The Under is 7-1-2 in the Angels’ last 10 playoff road games.
The teams are 19-9-1 to the over in their past 29 meetings.
Key Injuries - None
PROJECTED SCORE: 4
Yankees (-$1.75, O/U 9): The last time the Yankees were in the ALCS in 2004, they lost a series to Boston after being up 3-0. That could be on the mind of the New York players. The Yankees have won 40 of their past 51 home contests. Southpaw Andy Pettitte didn’t get a decision pitching against the Angels this past Monday, giving up three earned runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings. He was tagged for two homers. Pettitte is 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA during the postseason after going 14-8 with a 4.16 ERA in the regular season. The Yankees are 6-0 the last six times Pettitte has started with four days of rest. New York also is 7-1 the last eight times it has been favored with Pettitte on the hill. Pettitte, though, was 6-4 with a 4.59 ERA at home compared to 9-4 with a 3.61 ERA on the road.
The Under is 9-1-1 in New York’s last 11 home games.
The Under has cashed in 9 of Pettitte’s last 12 home starts.
Key Injuries - None
PROJECTED SCORE: 5 (Side of the Day)