Still yet to win this season, the New York Yankees continue
their road trip with the first game of their series against Baltimore. Can the
Bronx Bombers finally get off the mark in the 2012 MLB regular season?
The Orioles, undefeated on the season, are underdogs in the
MLB odds tonight, priced at +146 at Pinnacle to win. New York meanwhile can be
backed at -155 on the moneyline, with -144 also available at 5Dimes. The total for tonight's game
is at 9.5.
At 0-3, the Yankees are off to their worst since 1998. Have no fear Yankees fans, because in that season they did ended up winning 114 games along with the World Series; it's hardly time to start panicking.
Last night they wrapped up their three-game road stand
against Tampa Bay. Phil Hughes picked up the loss in a start in which he failed
to complete even five innings of work. Despite giving up only five hits and two
runs, while striking out five, Hughes was made to work for each and every out
and really had to labor through.
3-0 vs. 0-3
Jeremy Hellickson meanwhile dominated the Yankees on the
mound, holding them to three hits. In all, the visitors were 0 for 6 with
runners in scoring position.
While New York has struggled out of the gate, the Orioles
are flying high. Baltimore swept their opening series, beating Minnesota 3-1 in
the final game last night.
Jason Hammel was fantastic, pitching eight innings and
giving up just two hits and one earned run. He had a no-hitter through seven as
well. I'd say that's a pretty good Orioles debut for the righty.
The offense came from J.J. Hardy, who belted his first homer
of the season, and Wilson Betemit, who doubled in two runs. Adam Jones also had
a solid day with two hits and a run scored.
Tonight the Orioles will put their faith in Brian Matusz to
get the job done, while the Yankees hope to get their first win of the season
with Ivan Nova on the mound.
Nova was terrific last year, going 16-4 with a 3.70 ERA. He
got tremendous run support out of his offense though throughout the season and
will be hoping to get similar backing starting tonight.
Though Nova is 2-0 with a 3.55 ERA in four career starts
against Baltimore, he had a very shaky spring, doing so poorly that even his
spot in the rotation was almost taken away. He had a 8.06 ERA in just over 22
innings of work.
Yankees due to break out the bats
The Orioles trot out Matusz, who was absolutely atrocious
last season. The left-hander was 1-9 with a shocking 10.69 ERA in 12 starts,
yet Baltimore still has faith that he can bounce back after coming through with
some solid efforts during Spring Training.
I'm not too convinced though, at least for tonight's game.
Matusz was 0-1 with a 14.85 ERA in two starts against the Yankees last season
and I think he's in for another long evening as New York is sure to throw out
another strong lineup in hopes of securing their first win.
Nova, despite winning 16 games last season, is quite
vulnerable to giving up runs and battles a Baltimore lineup that's definitely
got some pop. Hardy, Adam Jones, Mark Reynolds, Matt Wieters and Nick Markakis
all have power, giving the Orioles one of the better batting orders they've had
in quite some time.
Plus, we all know how explosive the Yankees can be
offensively when things are going right. As a result, I do believe the OVER
holds the best MLB betting value for us in this one.
PICK: OVER 9.5