After the first game of this three-game set on Tuesday, both the New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics had won five of their last ten games while the teams around them in the American League East and West divisions catch fire. One of these teams will cut into their deficit when the two wrap up this series at McAfee Coliseum on Thursday evening. BetOnline.com has the New York Yankees –110 odds favorites against the Oakland Athletics +100 with the over/under set at 8.5 runs +100 reduced juice.
Andy Pettitte (5-5, 4.99) was pummeled in his last outing, but he managed to come away with a no-decision as the Yankees won 12-11 over Kansas City at home. The 35-year-old southpaw gave up ten runs on ten hits over 6 2/3 innings, including a pair of homers, and this was the third straight game in which Pettitte had been taken deep by the opposition.
Strangely, the road may be the best thing for Pettitte right now, as he is 4-2 in seven starts away from home, with an ERA of 3.95. Pettitte was knocked around in his two starts against the Athletics in 2007, going 0-1 with an ERA of 8.31, which was his highest of the season against an opposing team.
Joe Blanton (3-8, 4.15) is proving he has stamina, as he is second in the American League in innings pitched, but it is not translating into wins and quality starts for the 27-year-old righthander. Blanton took a loss as the Athletics fell 3-1 at home to Los Angeles, as he allowed three runs on seven hits over seven innings. Like Pettitte, Blanton is falling victim to the long ball as the Los Angeles game was his fifth straight start in which he had given up a home run. Blanton earned a no-decision in his last meeting with the Yankees in 2007, allowing three runs on five hits over 6 2/3 innings as the Athletics fell 4-3 in 13 innings at home.
The Yankees took the first game of this series 3-1, thanks to a dominant pitching performance which has been few and far between for the New York starting rotation. The Yankees were 7-0 against the West heading into Wednesday's game, but they will need Pettitte to turn it around at McAfee Coliseum. Due to Blanton's brutal 1-6 record in ten home starts, take the Yankees to end this series with a comfortable victory on Thursday. Get your free MLB Prediction in Now!
New York Yankees at Oakland Athletics – 10:05 PM ET
Free MLB Prediction: New York Yankees
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