The Yankees continue their seven-game road trip against AL West opponents, traveling up to the Pacific Northwest to face the Mariners in a three-game set. Let’s find out if you should add the Bronx Bombers as one of your MLB picks on Monday night.
Swept out of the Golden State
The New York Yankees were unable to nail down a win on Sunday afternoon, suffering a 5-4 setback to the Oakland Athletics in 12 innings, which led to their first-ever four-game sweep inside the Oakland Coliseum. The Bronx Bombers still possess the best record in the majors, but they only lead the Baltimore Orioles by six games in the AL East division standings. The Seattle Mariners won five of their seven games on a recent road trip, including a pair of 2-1 against the Tampa Bay Rays over the weekend. It will be interesting to see if the team is jet lagged after taking the longest flight home in the major leagues.
Kuroda continues to be a solid option in the starting rotation
Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda (9-7, 3.46 ERA) has lost just once over his last 10 starts, leading the club to eight victories in that span. The right-hander picked up a 6-0 home victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in his last effort, allowing four hits and striking out five over seven shutout innings. In two career games versus the Mariners, Kuroda has compiled a 1-1 record and 4.05 ERA, including a 6-2 home win on May 11.
Kevin Millwood (3-7, 4.15 ERA) has watched the club drop his last five starts, with the offense scoring 16 combined runs over that period of time. The right-hander is 1-3 with a 5.09 ERA in eight home starts this season, surrendering three home runs in 40.2 combined innings, which is important when facing a team that leads the majors in round trippers. In eight career starts against the Bronx Bombers outside of Yankee Stadium, Millwood has garnered an 0-4 record and 4.50 ERA.
Mariners land in a bad situational spot
The Yankees may be considered the road team on Monday night, but the Mariners will certainly be feeling the effects of flying across the country to occupy the home dugout. Seattle is 3-9 in its last 12 home games following a road trip of seven or more days, while New York has won six of eight games as a road favorite with MLB odds of -150 to -175 this season.
Yankees lineup has great numbers against Millwood
New York managed to score just 10 runs in four games in Oakland, but the lineup that ranks fifth in the majors with 459 runs scored has a great chance to break out against Millwood in the series opener. All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano will lead the charge, going 12 for 31 (.387) in his career when facing the veteran right-hander, while designated hitter Raul Ibanez is batting .367 with a home run and nine RBIs in 49 at-bats against him.
Prediction
The Yankees will snap their season-long four-game losing streak in the series opener, especially considering the Mariners rank last in the majors in batting average (.196) and runs scored (126) at home.
Pick: New York Yankees -160