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The New York Yankees are an unstoppable juggernaut right now as they bring an 11-game winning streak into a big series with the suddenly struggling Oakland A’s. It could be a wild-card game preview. The Yanks are short favorites on the MLB odds.

How to Bet Yankees at A’s MLB Odds & TV Info

When: Thursday, 9:40 PM ET
Where: Oakland Coliseum
Probable pitchers (away/home): Jameson Taillon/James Kaprielian
TV: MLB Extra Innings
Stream/gameday audio: https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/
Opening MLB Lines: Yankees -125, A’s +115 (total 8.5)

Why Bet on New York?

The Yankees won their 11^th straight game on Tuesday, 5-4 in Atlanta – sweeping a two-game series against the Braves, who entered it on a nine-game winning streak themselves. The 11-game winning streak is New York’s longest since Aug. 31 to Sept. 10, 1985. The Yankees have had four straight series sweeps, their longest such streak since a five-series sweep streak from 9/16-10/2/60.

The Yankees have been excellent in close game this year. They have played 70 games that have been decided by two runs or less, the most in the Majors, and they have a 47-23 record in those contests. Since July 1, the Yankees have a 25-5 record (.833 winning percentage) in games decided by three or fewer runs, the highest in the Majors in that period. Before July 1, New York went 28-24 (.538) in those contests.

Aroldis Chapman was removed from a save chance as the Yankees hung on Tuesday. Chapman was on to protect a two-run lead and yielded a one-out single to Adam Duvall before bouncing back with a strikeout to put a runner on first with two down. However, a walk and an infield single loaded the bases and then Chapman walked another to force in a run. Manager Aaron Boone decided that was enough and called up Wandy Peralta to face Freddie Freeman, who flied out. Chapman has now been scored upon in two of three outings since returning from an elbow injury, and Boone wouldn’t 100 percent commit to him as the team’s closer.

New York is winning without two regulars: Third baseman Gio Urshela and shortstop Gleyber Torres. Urshela is likely to be activated Thursday in Oakland. He has been on the IL since August 1 because of a left hamstring strain. Torres (sprained left thumb) is ready to head out on a rehab assignment.

It’s Jameson Taillon (8-4, 3.94) on the mound here. Taillon yielded three runs over 5 1/3 innings last Thursday in a win over the Twins. Taillon carried a shutout into the sixth inning before Jake Cave put the Twins on the board with a solo shot to left-center field and Jorge Polanco added a two-run double later in the frame. He finished with five strikeouts and didn’t issue a walk.

Taillon is 7-0 with a 2.57 ERA (70.0IP, 20ER) in his last 12 starts (since 6/18), allowing 3ER-or-fewer in 11 of those starts, including each of his last nine. In his first 17 starts, he pitched to a 4.90 ERA, giving up 16 home runs, walking 24 and striking out 86 over 82.1 innings.

“I didn’t carry my weight, necessarily, for the first couple of months,” Taillon said. “I’m glad that I can at least contribute here in the second half, when it really matters.”

Why Bet on Oakland?

The A’s currently would not make the playoffs as they have lost four straight and eight of 10 to fall out of a wild-card spot. They were knocked off 5-1 on Tuesday at home by Seattle. Starting pitcher Cole Irvin left his start Tuesday due to a minor hip issue and All-Star pitcher Chris Bassitt remains out after taking a line drive off his face last week against the White Sox. He won’t be back for at least a month.

Closer Lou Trevino has hit a bit of a wall for Oakland. He has struggled in his last two outings, allowing five runs on five hits, including two homers, and a walk while recording just five outs. He has blown saves in each of those games, leading to questions as to whether or not he should remain in that role. Trevino could be tiring as he’s up to 59.1 innings this season, a huge increase over the 23.1 innings he threw last season, and just two outs shy of his total for the 2019 campaign.

“We’re putting too much pressure on every facet that we have right now,” Manager Bob Melvin said. “We have to flip the switch and start playing like we do. This is the wrong time to go into a team slump. We’ll figure it out.”

It’s young right-hander James Kaprielian (7-4, 3.25) on the mound. Kaprielian allowed one run on three hits and four walks with four strikeouts over five innings in a 1 win against the Giants last Friday. Kaprielian pitched out of a couple jams early. Starling Marte saved a pair of runs with a terrific catch to get out of the second inning, and Kaprielian walked three straight batters with two outs in the third before another nice play by Marte in center ended the threat. The rookie has now allowed three or fewer earned runs in each of his last three appearances, going 2-0 with a 3.31 ERA in that span,

Kaprielian’s his 3.25 ERA is second lowest in the American League and third lowest in the majors among rookies. He ranks third in the AL in opponents on-base percentage (.291) and batting average (.217) and fourth in OPS (.677) and slugging percentage (.385). He was the winning pitcher in his only career appearance against the Yankees, a start in the A’s 5-3 win at New York earlier this year on June 18 (5.2 ip, 3 h, 3 r, 3 er, 1 bb, 7 so).