New York Yankees vs. Oakland Athletics: MLB Betting Odds and Predictions

The New York Yankees (57-35) and Oakland Athletics (48-44) will continue a four-game American League series on Friday night inside the Oakland Coliseum, with the first pitch scheduled for 10:05 ET

New York Yankees at Oakland Athletics

The Oakland Athletics are one of the hottest teams in baseball

New York dropped its first contest in Oakland in two years Thursday night, suffering a 4-3 setback to open up the four-game series. The Yankees have still won nine of their last 10 games at this ballpark, but know their current opponent is playing great baseball. “They’re playing better,” commented Yankees manager Joe Girardi. Outfielder Nick Swisher is the player to watch offensively, hitting .381 with eight home runs and 18 RBIs in his last 11 games against his former club. New York is 7-6 as a road favorite of -125 to -150 this season.

Yankees starting pitcher Ivan Nova (10-4, 4.18 ERA) has alternated wins and losses over his last three outings, coming off a 10-8 home defeat to the Los Angeles Angels, giving up six runs and nine hits over six frames. The right-hander is 7-1 with a 3.36 ERA in 10 road outings, surrendering nine home runs in 64.1 frames. Nova won his only career appearance in this series on May 25 inside this ball park, allowing three runs over seven innings.

Oakland has won six of its last seven games and much of its recent success has come due to the long ball. The Athletics have hit 20 round trippers in their last 13 games, with outfielder Yoenis Cespedes leading the way, hitting .542 with three home runs and eight RBIs in six games since the All-Star break. The club is now faced with the challenge of trying to secure its first winning series at home against the Bronx Bombers since April 2007. Oakland is 11-7 as a home underdog of +100 to +125, with the “under” going 10-8 in those contests.

Athletics starting pitcher Tommy Milone (9-6, 3.54 ERA) has led the club to five wins in his last six efforts, including a 9-3 road victory over the Minnesota Twins last time out. He gave up two runs and 10 hits over six frames in that effort. The left-hander is 5-1 with a 1.03 ERA in seven home outings, with opposing hitters batting .177 against him. Milone suffered a 2-0 home loss in his only career outing against the Yankees on May 27, surrendering two runs and eight hits over 6.2 innings.