The Yankees and Royals combined for 23 runs on Saturday, and Sunday should be another slugfest in humid, 90-degree conditions. With Joba on a pitch count and Grienke struggling, go Over.
The Kansas City Royals wrap up their series with the New York Yankees in the Bronx today.
It’s going to be in the mid 90’s on a humid day in New York City when the first pitch is thrown on Sunday, with the wind blowing out to center field. Clearly, those are ideal conditions for Over bettors. Umpire Phil Cuzzi has a decided ‘Over’ bent; 8-5 to the Over this year and 27-19 to the Over in the last two seasons. And with the Yankees and Royals combining to score 23 runs in a day game yesterday, there’s little reason to expect anything but another high scoring ballgame again today.
Yes, Joba Chamberlain has nasty stuff, and the Royals are not a good offensive team, ranked dead last in the AL in runs scored. But Chamberlain will be on a strict pitch count (no more than 75-80 pitches), and the Yankees middle relief behind him has been a problem area for New York all season. And frankly, it might not take more than a handful of runs from Kansas City to send this game Over the total.
Yes, Zack Grienke has been the Royals best pitcher for much of the season, and yes, he shut down the Bronx Bombers in his lone previous start against them back in April. But Grienke has been roughed up for 17 earned runs and 23 hits in his last three starts, including allowing four home runs in his last trip to the hill. The Royals bullpen behind him, too, is a major problem area after six relievers combined to throw 106 pitches in yesterday’s slugfest, and closer Joakim Soria won’t be available here after pitching in each of the first two games of this series. Meanwhile, the Yankees offense is starting to come alive, with a nine run outburst on Thursday preceding yesterday’s 12 run attack.
Take the Over today.
Free Pick: Royals, Yankees Over 9 (-110)