Sunday Night Baseball: Orioles at Yankees
A garden variety late-September game takes on extra importance when the New York Yankees host the Baltimore Orioles in the final game at fabled Yankee Stadium on Sunday night.
Yankees bettors were probably expecting something more dramatic for the finale, but an otherwise lackluster matchup with the Orioles will have to do after New York’s disappointing season.
Andy Pettitte (13-14, 4.57 ERA) gets the honor of making the start for the Bronx Bombers, while Baltimore counters with fellow southpaw Chris Waters (3-3, 4.75 ERA). Waters was brilliant in his outing on Tuesday night, tossing a complete-game shutout in the O’s 2-0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays as +186 road underdogs at BetJamaica.com.
Pettitte has struggled for Yanks backers over the last month, with only one win over his last 10 decisions. The lefthander’s poor performance has hurt New York at the window, as the Yankees are only 1-9 against the moneyline to match Pettitte during his skid.
The veteran hasn’t cashed a win since New York’s 5-1 payday over the Blue Jays on August 20 as –165 road favorites. That was the last time Pettitte allowed less than three runs in an outing, a streak that has Yankees bettors wondering if this is Pettitte’s final season in the big leagues.
The good news is that Pettitte has been lights-out against the Orioles this season, although those starts came back in April and May. Pettitte has surrendered only two runs over 13 2/3 innings in two outings versus Baltimore this season, earning the win in both trips to the hill.
The Yankees lead the season series 8-7, which includes a three-game sweep of the O’s the last time the teams met in August. Johnny Damon had a homer and three runs batted in to lead New York past Baltimore 8-7 on August 24 as –117 road faves, as Robinson Cano was 4-for-5 with a dinger and two RBIs for the Yankees.
Edwar Ramirez picked up the win in relief of Yanks starter Darrell Rasner, while Jamie Walker was handed the loss for the Orioles. Brian Roberts and Aubrey Huff were both 3-for-5 with a big fly and two RBIs for Baltimore, which combined with New York to play over the 11-run total.
Totals bettors are eyeing the Yankees’ 9-23 O/U record when Pettitte starts this season, although the teams have played under in seven of 15 matchups this season – a pretty solid record for oddsmakers.