There have been few full team collapses that compare to the New York Yankees who have taken a downward spiral for some weeks now, leading the Rays by just 5 games in the AL east. Here they look to build off a 2-1 Victory in Tampa with a home win over the Minnesota Twins. This is the first of a 4-game series. Here is my complete prediction and breakdown.
TWINS NARROWING DIVISION GAP
The Minnesota Twins have been playing decent baseball, recording a 6-4 record in their last 10 games. They now find themselves just one game back from Cleveland in the AL Central, and now they are set to take on a not so powerful Yankees team. Whilst they have been playing better, they still have a below .500 road record, coming into this one at 28-35 away from Minnesota.
The Twins are good offensive team, scoring 4.4 runs per-game which is 13th in the major leagues, with a combined batting average of .248 (11th) and a on-base-percentage of .319 (7th). Jose Miranda had a good series against the Yankees in June, going 5 for 9 including 3 RBI’s.
The Twins weakness is in pitching coming into this one they have the 19th ranked pitching staff in the league throwing a combined ERA of 4.00. Things are only getting worse for the arm-barn too, as Twins starters are throwing a 7.65 average ERA in their last 5 games whilst the relievers are doing slightly better with 4.94. Over these 5 games the Twins pitchers are allowing a .295 batting average to their opponents. Taking the mound in this one is Chris Archer who will be looking to get his first road win of the season. The 33-year-old veteran is having a troubled season posting a 2-7 record, including 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in his last 3 starts. He has given up 9 runs in his last 2 starts combined.
YANKEES SNAPPING OUT OF SLUMP
Whilst the Yankees have been struggling there is still some positives for New York fans to look at. Aaron Judge is having a MVP season (you should bet this!), he now has 53 home-runs, 115 RBI’s and a 1.074 OPS. Unfortunately Judge cannot do it all, as a team the Yankees have been struggling offensively batting at just .160 combined in their last 5.
They are now home after a 10-game road trip where they went 4-6. The Yankees pitching staff is still one of the best in the league posting a combine ERA of 3.34 (4th) and WHIP of 1.10 (2nd). Whilst those numbers are a little worse lately, the team should find comfort in going up against in an opponent that isn’t hitting well right now either.
Taking the mound for New York is Jameson Taillon. The veteran is coming off a minor arm injury but by all reports is ready for this game. On the season Taillon is posting a 12-4 record over 140.2 innings played, good for a 3.97 ERA and 1.12 WHIP.
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
Minnesota is inconsistent at its best and coming into this one they have lost 3 of their last 4 games. They are even worse on the road in which they have lost 7 of their last 8. Now they have to go to New York to face a Yankees team that is desperate to get back to winning ways. Plus, Twins starts Chris Archer is struggling right now and the Yankees should have no issues getting to him. It may sound crazy right now to trust the Yankees, but I am.
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