Yanks set sights on sweep of Orioles
The Yankees’ CC Sabathia certainly knows his way around a playoff chase. Yet will he be able to fend off a Baltimore team in desperate need of a win?
New York (67-61) battles its AL East rival this afternoon, with a 1:05 p.m. ET first pitch in the Bronx. Online sports book BetDSI gives the host club odds of -117 to take care of business, whereas the Orioles represent +107 underdogs. The over/under run total sits at nine.
Yesterday, Joe Girardi’s troops erupted for 13 runs on 18 hits. Rookie sensation Gary Sanchez belted yet another dinger, while second baseman Starlin Castro added four base knocks. The offensive clinic made up for a rare off outing for righty Chad Green, who logged a mere four-plus innings.
Of course, Sabathia (8-10, 4.33 ERA) expects to fare much better in several hours. The southpaw holds a 19-8 record with a 3.33 ERA in 36 career starts vs. the O’s. Most recently, he limited Seattle to one run and three hits across seven frames.
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Buck Showalter counters with Kevin Gausman (5-10, 3.92), whose numbers away from Charm City are borderline frightening. The 25-year-old is 0-9 with a 5.32 ERA in nine road appearances. In last month’s 2-1 loss in the Bronx, however, Gausman hurled 6 2/3 stellar innings.
Having dropped eight of their past 12 contests, the Orioles (70-59) must avoid getting swept at all costs. Look for Mark Trumbo, Chris Davis and the rest of the gang to do just enough to topple Sabathia.
SUNDAY MLB FREE PICK: ORIOLES +1.5
