MLB betting fans haven’t seen the storied New York Yankees in the postseason since 2012, and they weren’t expected to be in the mix this year. However, the rebirth of Alex Rodriguez and the awakening of Mark Texieira’s bat keyed New York to an early division lead, and they were able to win enough down the stretch to hold onto the wild card, even as the Toronto Blue Jays surged past them to win the American League East division. So the Yankees now have a one-game play-in to make the American League Division Series, and the right to take on the Kansas City Royals.
Wild Card Team MLB Betting Preview: New York Yankees
A grandmother’s obituary took one final shot at A-Rod http://t.co/pvVcDfMGRE pic.twitter.com/MufD46lW16
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) October 6, 2015
The Yankees were second in the American League in runs scored this year, only behind Toronto. However, over the last 12 games of the season, they only averaged 3.3 runs, and they didn’t score more than five runs in any games in the last week. However, manager Joe Girardi was giving some of his key players rest in the season’s last week. That almost backfired as the team lost six of seven. If Houston hadn’t lost to Arizona in Game 162, the wild card game would be taking place in Houston rather than in the Bronx.
Even with the rest, there are signs that the best Yankee hitters are slowing down. Alex Rodriguez only has hit two home runs since September 12. Jacoby Ellsbury has only three hits in his last 21 trips to the plate, and Brett Gardner, one of three Yanks to appear in the All-Star Game, only hit .207 in September and went 2 for 14 in October.
The Yankees send righthanded ace Masahiro Tanaka to the hill to pitch against Houston’s Dallas Keuchel in the wild card game. Tanaka had a 12-7 record this season, posting a 3.51 ERA. Tanaka has not been as dominant in 2015 as he was last season, but he has been consistent, week in and week out. September has been his best month this season, with an ERA of 3.06. In four of the five months in which Tanaka has pitched this season, he has posted an ERA of no worse than 3.67. Tanaka did face Houston once, permitting six runs in five innings, although the Yankees were still able to get the win. However, in nine of his last 10 starts in Yankee Stadium, he has not permitted more than three earned runs.
Both of these teams have struggled down the stretch after getting off to big starts. The MLB season is a marathon, with a 162-game regular season that starts when the spring is still chilly and finishes when the leaves have turned red and gold. Obviously, one of these teams has to win to go on to the Division Series, but the smart money right now is on Houston. They bring a more dominant pitcher to the mound, and their offense has been somewhat more consistent. It’s hard to bet against the mystique of Yankee Stadium, but these aren’t the Yankees of Derek Jeter and Bernie Williams. Alex Rodriguez is having a wonderful re-awakening, but it won’t be enough to advance.
