C.C. Sabathia and the New York Yankees look to dominate the Oakland Athletics for the upteenth time when the two teams meet this afternoon. In other action, King Felix takes the mound for the Seattle Mariners as they take on Albert Pujols and the Los Angeles Angels.

Coming off a Friday night victory at the Oakland Coliseum against the Athletics, the New York Yankees looked powerful.The Yankees are simply dominant when playing the Oakland Athletics. Nick Swisher hit a home run against his old team while struggling players like Mark Teixiera and Robinson Cano also went yard.

Derek JeterThis stadium is made for power and batting average is secondary as you can fit ten swimming pools in foul ground territory. The Yankees took advantage of this and the pitching also dominated a poor Athletics lineup. Oakland is ranked 30th in batting average in baseball with a .210 average. How about that, a team that's nearing the Mendoza Line. Basically the only way for Oakland to get a win is with pitching and in Saturday's matchup, they run into a 6 foot 7, 290 pound mack truck named C.C. Sabathia.

In his last few outings, Sabathia hasn't been spectacular but he's done enough to keep the Yankees in the game and leave it up to the offense. On the season, Sabathia's numbers look good at 5-2 with a 3.78 ERA. He'll be opposed by former Yankee Bartolo Colon. Colon has been merely average for the Athletics at 4-4 with a 4.09 ERA.

The Yankees have had a problem all season knocking in runners in scoring position and their offense has been lacking. Look for NY to use yesterday's win over an Athletics team that they own as their ace takes the mound. The Yankees should win easily here.

MLB betting odds are Yankees -167. In a normal situation I would take the runline but the Yankees haven't proven enough to me yet, therefore I have to take the moneyline and take the risk of New York being the heavy chalk.

Pick-  Yankees -167



Los Angeles Angels at Seattle Mariners

This is a matchup that I shouldn't touch but that's what makes it ever so appealing. The last time King Felix pitched, I nailed the pick as he and his Seattle Mariners team were the underdogs against a powerful offensive Texas Rangers team. Now, Hernandez hosts another team that's much better than their record indicates in the Los Angeles Angels. 

The Angels are just 22-25 when in essence they're really a 32-15 team with the roster that they possess. 

The Giant has awoken!!!!

The Los Angeles Angels fans were wondering if Pujols would ever hit a home run and now Pujols has got his confidence back and is on fire!  Pujols is batting .227 with 6 HR and 25 RBI this season but in his last 4 games he's 6 for 15 with 3 HR and 7 RBI. All of Pujols' home runs this season have occured since May 6th. Even though he faces one of the best pitchers in baseball in Felix Hernandez, Albert Pujols is a threat to go deep at anytime and this has to concern the Mariners, who aren't a strong offensive team.

Underestimated

Not much was expected from starter Jerome Williams this season but he's surprised many. Williams is a respectable 4-2 with a 3.74 ERA on the season. Williams has given a quality outing in 6 of his last 7 games. Ichiro isn't Ichiro anymore and players like Jesus Montero and Kyle Seager shouldn't scare Williams who is a lifetime 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA against the Mariners.

This game comes down to "Can Felix Hernandez stop the Angels offense?". I don't doubt Hernandez's capabilities but I don't have much confidence in his supporting cast. Take the underdog Angels to win the game.



Pick - Angels +121

Happy Memorial Day everyone!