The Yankees eight-game winning streak was snapped on Sunday afternoon, but a new streak may be in the offering when playing today’s opponent at home.
Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees
Baltimore helped out the Yankees’ cause on Sunday afternoon with a 8-7 home victory over the Rays and the team has posted a 19-13 record since manager Buck Showalter took over. “Spoiler or anything, we’re going out there looking to win some games,” said outfielder Nick Markakis. “That’s the main objective here and I think we’re on the right path.” The Orioles trail in the season series, 2-10, including an 0-6 mark in the Bronx. The team has actually lost 17 of their last 19 games at Yankee Stadium and have recorded a winning record at the venue just once in the the last 20 seasons. It’s important to note that the club is 2-3 in September this season, but 12-43 over the last three years during the month (-2,620). Baltimore is also a terrible 2-8 on Monday’s in 2010 (-610) and 14-31 during this day of the week the last three campaigns (-1,620).
Orioles starting pitcher Brian Matusz is 7-12 with a 4.72 ERA in 27 starts this season and has a current three-game winning streak. Over that span, Baltimore has outscored the opposition by a 13-4 margin, while he has allowed just three runs and 14 this over 21 innings of work. The left-hander has a 4-5 record and 5.29 ERA in 13 road starts, as opponents have combined for a .280 average. He will be making just his seventh daytime start, producing a 2-3 mark and 6.99 ERA compared to a 5-9 record and 4.19 ERA at night. In four career starts versus the Yankees, Matusz is 1-3 with a 2.10 ERA, including a 1-2 record and 1.37 ERA in three outings at today’s venue. His 4.26 ERA against the AL East is his lowest against any division in the Junior Circuit.
New York had its eight-game winning streak snapped with a 7-3 loss to the Blue Jays on Sunday, which ironically occurred with the return of their All-Star third baseman. The Yankees posted an 11-3 record when Alex Rodriguez was recently on the disabled list and the team is 21-3 without the slugger in the lineup this season. He did go 2-for-5 with an RBI in the defeat. “We just felt he was ready. That’s the bottom line,” manager Joe Girardi stated. “We feel that it’s healed and he’s ready to go.” The club is just an even 6-6 on Mondays this season (-300) and 23-25 over the last three years (-1,180). New York has dominated foes during the daytime, posting a 35-15 mark (+1,040) and the total is 25-22 O/U in those contests.
Yankees starting pitcher A.J. Burnett is 10-12 with a 5.15 ERA in 27 starts this season and snapped a four-game losing streak with his last outing. In that 4-3 home victory over the Athletics, he allowed three runs and six hits over six innings of work while striking out eight. The right-hander is an even 5-5 with a 4.61 ERA in 12 home starts, surrendering 10 home runs in 70.1 frames. He will be toeing the rubber for just the eighth time during the day, compiling a 3-3 record and 3.02 ERA compared to a 7-9 mark and 5.91 ERA at night. In 16 career games versus the Orioles, Burnett is a solid 11-3 with a 4.47 ERA, including a 6-2 mark and 4.83 ERA when pitching at his home ball park.
Bettors will certainly find value in the underdog in this contest, but the fact the Orioles are 6-11 O/U as a road underdog of +175 to +200 makes the total playable. The total is also 4-8 in New York’s 12 games as a home favorite of -200 to -225 in 2010.
