Could we be looking at a World Series preview this weekend when the Brewers make a rare visit to Yankee Stadium for interleague play? It’s unlikely, but both Milwaukee, which leads the NL Central, and New York would be playoff teams if the season ended today. Here’s a look at their series, in which the Yanks will be a solid MLB series betting favorites against the Brewers.
Milwaukee at NY Yankees MLB Series Odds & Expert Preview
When: Friday, July 7th to Sunday, July, 9th Where: Yankee Stadium TV: MLBN (out-of-market only) / FSWI (Milwaukee) / YES (NY) Radio: WTMJ 620 (Milwaukee) / WFAN 660 (NY) Live Stream: MLB.tv MLB Series Odds: TBAFinal: Blue Jays 7, Yankees 6. Next up: 3-game home series vs. Milwaukee starting Friday.
— #SirDidi4Sure (@Yankees) July 5, 2017
Who The Judge?
Yankees rookie Aaron Judge continues to terrorize opposing pitchers. He leads the American League in all three Triple Crown categories and could become the third player in MLB history to win the Rookie of the Year and the MVP in the same season. The Yankees enter having lost four of five, but in Wednesday’s 7-6 home loss to Toronto, Judge hit his Major League-leading 29th home run in the fourth inning, equaling the Yankees’ rookie franchise record set in 1936 by Joe DiMaggio (29). Judge’s 29 homers are the most by an American League rookie since Jose Abreu of the White Sox hit 36 in 2014. The only rookie in Major League history with more home runs prior to an All-Star break was Mark McGwire, who had 33 homers at the break for the 1987 Athletics. Judge will be the favorite in Monday’s Home Run Derby in Miami.Yanks Injury News
New York expects to activate DH Matt Holliday from the DL for the series opener. Holliday hasn’t played since June 24 due to a viral infection. “There’s a virus called Epstein-Barr virus that I tested positive for,” Holliday said. “There are some tests that aren’t back yet.” Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is best known as the cause of infectious mononucleosis, associated with a high risk of autoimmune disease. Some 200,000 cancer cases per year are attributed to EBV. Holliday’s problem started in Oakland on June 17, when he appeared to suffer an allergic reaction to something he ate prior to the game against the A’s. Holliday took batting practice and did some running in the outfield on Wednesday. The Yankees have missed their 37-year- old veteran, who in 68 games is batting .262/.366/.511 with 13 doubles, 15 home runs and 47 RBIs.What About the Injuries in the Yankees Bullpen?
New York remains without All-Star second baseman Starlin Castro, who could miss the All-Star Game. Castro went on the disabled list June 27 with a hamstring injury and New York manager Joe Girardi said Castro won’t start running hard until Thursday. Meanwhile, first baseman Chris Carter was designated for assignment and Ji-Man Choi was called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Choi slugged a two-run homer in his Yankees debut Wednesday. Choi was batting .317/.402/.516 over his last 451 plate appearances at the Triple-A level.
Probable Pitchers
Friday will see the Yankees start rookie left-hander Jordan Montgomery. He continued to mature as a starter in June, going 4-0 with a 2.59 ERA in five starts. However, he wasn’t as sharp in his most recent start, allowing three runs in 5 1/3 innings vs. Houston. It’s Brewers Opening Day starter Junior Guerra. He lost after allowing eight runs on eight hits (four homers) and three walks with two strikeouts in four-plus innings Tuesday against the Reds. Guerra (1-2, 4.54 ERA) has now allowed 11 long balls in 41 2/3 innings this year (2.4 HR/9 rate), including at least one in seven of his eight starts.Who Will Start on Saturday?
On Saturday, New York starts Luis Severino. Named to the AL All-Star team, Severino struggled in his last outing, allowing six runs in 5 1/3 innings and taking the loss against the Astros. The youngster has allowed at least four earned runs in three of his past four starts after posting only two such outings in his first 12 games. Milwaukee’s Brent Suter struck out a season-high eight batters and earned his first MLB win as a starter last time out vs. Baltimore. He became the first lefty to earn a win for the Brewers at Miller Park since Randy Wolf did in July 2012.What About Sunday?
In the finale, it’s Yankees ace Masahiro Tanaka. He was one of the biggest disappointments earlier this season, but he has turned things around by allowing just three runs across 21 innings during his past three starts. He’s 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in that stretch. The Brewers’ Jimmy Nelson won after allowing one unearned run on six hits with eight strikeouts across seven innings against the Orioles on Tuesday. Nelson improved to 7-4, and he has been one of the most improved starters this season en route to producing a 3.20 ERA.Latest MLB Betting Trends
- Milwaukee is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
- Milwaukee is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Milwaukee’s last 6 games
Latest MLB Series History
Milwaukee Brewers
- Won – July 3rd to July 5th vs Baltimore Orioles. MLB Series Final: 3-0
- Won – June 30th to July 2nd vs Miami Marlins. MLB Series Final: 2-1
- Loss – June 27th to June 29th vs Cincinnati Reds. MLB Series Final: 1-2
- Loss – June 23th to June 25th @ Atlanta Braves. MLB Series Final: 1-2
- Tie – June 19th to June 22nd vs Cincinnati Reds. MLB Series Final: 2-2
NY Yankees
- Loss – July 3rd to July 5th vs Toronto Blue Jays. MLB Series Final: 1-2
- Loss – June 30th to July 2nd @ Houston Astros. MLB Series Final: 1-2
- Tie – June 26th to June 29th @ Chicago White Sox. MLB Series Final: 2-2
- Loss – June 23th to June 25th vs Texas Rangers. MLB Series Final: 1-2
- Loss – June 20th to June 22nd vs Los Angeles Angels. MLB Series Final: 1-2
