The New York Yankees (48-40 SU, +0.62 Units) had a significantly better first half of the season than most figured they were capable of. The fact that they are still in the midst of this playoff picture heading into the middle of July is impressive. The fact that the Seattle Mariners (41-48 SU, -13.10 Units) aren't is equally depressing for fans in the Pacific Northwest.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Yankees were slight underdogs in each of the three meetings these two teams played at Safeco Field in June, but they swept the M's in their house. It was a disastrous weekend for Seattle bettors, who blew through 3.82 units in those three games.
PITCHING MATCHUP
There was a point that Michael Pineda was a budding rising star for the Mariners before he was traded to the Yankees. The righty has had nothing but injury-plagued seasons since, but he did make his full complement of 17 starts in the first half of the year with great success.
The righty is 9-5 this year with a 3.64 ERA, but what is most impressive about him is his control. In his last five starts, Pineda has 33 strikeouts against just four walks, bettering his K/BB ratio for the year up to 8.54.
Hisashi Iwakuma spent almost three full months on the DL with back problems, and this is going to be just his third start back since that point.
The Japanese sensation had a few really strong years, but this season, he has labored a ton. Iwakuma did toss eight shutout innings against the Angels in his last start before the break, but allowed at least four runs in all of his previous starts this year.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"I know we've struggle a little bit. We are going to be fine. When our offense is good, we aren't pitching. And when we are pitching, our offense isn't good. We have to get those things together, and we are going to be fine." – Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez on what has to turn around in the second half of the year to succeed
SITUATIONAL BETTING
Lloyd McClendon has really had to pick apart his bullpen this year with Fernando Rodney more or less falling apart. At this point, it seems as though Carson Smith is getting the lion share of the opportunities, which makes sense considering the fact that he has a 1.73 ERA.
However, pitchers who have tried to close out those games this year have all ended up being shaky in Seattle. We're not sure that things are improved for the second half.
PROP TALK
Pineda has allowed 10 homers this year in 17 starts, and that just screams for Nelson Cruz to go off. Not only does Cruz have 21 home runs this season, but he also has a total of 35 extra base hits in 87 games. With a .919 OPS, it's going to be really tough to bet against Cruz in this one.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Pineda has shown a really live arm this year, and that K/BB ratio is incredibly impressive. As long as he keeps his head about him, we have a lot more confidence in his ability to finish this game on a high note than we do in Iwakuma, who we still aren't all that confident is healthy.
Expect to see the M's put up a fight, but the Bronx Bombers’ bats should do enough damage to pull out a comfortable victory.
New York 6, Seattle 3
The baseball betting odds for this Saturday game will first be available at BookMaker Sportsbook. BookMaker is going to have multiple betting options available for this televised baseball matchup. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, individual inning run totals and next hitter results. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
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