The Oakland Athletics (85-64) and New York Yankees (86-63) will open up a three-game American League series on Friday night at Yankee Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 ET
Oakland Athletics at New York Yankees
Oakland snapped its three-game losing streak by busting out offensively on Thursday afternoon, coming away with a 12-4 road win over the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. “We’ve been able to come up big when we needed to, and today was right along those lines,” commented Athletics manager Bob Melvin. The Athletics’ 12-run outburst was the first of their kind since Aug. 31, as the club continues to battle for a AL Wild Card spot. Oakland is 27-16 against AL East opponents this year, with the “under” going 21-20 in that situation.
Athletics starting pitcher Jarrod Parker (11-8, 3.51 ERA) has won back-to-back starts against the Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Angels, allowing three runs and 11 hits over 14 combined innings. The right-hander is 6-3 with a 4.95 ERA in 12 road outings, issuing 30 walks and striking out 54 batters in 67.1 innings. Parker earned a 2-1 home win over the Yankees in his only career effort against them on July 21, surrendering one run and five hits over eight innings.
New York has won 10 of its last 14 games and just finished off its ninth sweep of the season, capturing a 10-7 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday. The Yankees will enter this series with a one-game lead over the Orioles in the East, as they look to snap a four-game losing streak against the Athletics. Outfielder Ichiro Suzuki has been a major spark offensively since being acquired from the Seattle Mariners, hitting .321 with four home runs and 22 RBIs in 54 games. New York is 4-3 when revenging a three-game sweep at the hands of an opponent.
Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia (13-6, 3.63 ERA) has watched the club suffer four straight losses, including a 6-4 setback at home to the Tampa Bay Rays last time out, allowing four runs and six hits over 6.2 innings of work. The left-hander is 6-4 with a 3.00 ERA in 11 home outings, surrendering eight home runs in 81 combined frames. In 24 career games versus the Athletics, Sabathia has compiled an even 8-8 record and 4.80 ERA, but didn’t earn a decision in a 5-4 road loss on July 22.
Sports bettors will likely back the Yankees due to their 23-4 record in Sabathia’s last 27 starts versus AL West opponents, while the Athletics are 4-15 in their last 19 games in the Bronx.
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