O’s inch closer to playoffs; Yanks in spoiler role
Baltimore could have wilted following last week’s sweep at the hands of the AL East-leading Red Sox. Instead, Buck Showalter’s bunch is motoring full steam ahead toward the postseason.
Holding a 1 ½-game edge over the Tigers for the second wild card, the Orioles open another critical in the Bronx tonight. Online sports book Bovada.lv gives the host Yanks odds of -130 to prevail, whereas the Yankees typify +110 underdogs. The over/under run figure sits at nine.
Buoyed by the boffo bat of Mark Trumbo and some unexpectedly strong pitching from the back end of the rotation, the O’s boast five victories in their past six contests. Yet they’ll probably be sweating it out this evening. Starter Yovani Gallardo is 2-7 with a 5.50 ERA in his last 13 starts. Most recently, though, he limited Arizona to two runs on six hits in six innings.
New York, which just swept the Red Sox, answers with Michael Pineda. The righty’s 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA in two appearances against Baltimore in 2016. He also surpassed the 200-strikeout mark on Sept. 25, fanning seven in a no-decision against Toronto.
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The Orioles must fend off challenges from Detroit and Seattle as the regular season comes to a close. This opener, given Gallardo’s presence on the mound, may present the most difficult obstacle the rest of the way. Look for a high-scoring affair between two extremely capable offensive clubs.
FRIDAY MLB FREE PICK: ORIOLES/YANKEES OVER 9 RUNS