MLB Baseball
2012-05-01 - Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
United States: Major League Baseball
Tuesday 1 May 2012 - First Pitch 7:05pm ET
12:05am (British Standard Time)
Preview
The New York Yankees (13-9) have usually dominated the Baltimore Orioles (14-9) and they have a chance to go ahead of them in the American League East standings if they can complete their second series win over their rivals tonight.
The Yankees beat the Orioles in a close pitching duel yesterday, getting over the line 2-1 with neither team managing to move the scoreboard after completing their second innings.
New York will be expecting to extend their winning run over Baltimore as they are facing Brian Matusz who has lost 12 straight decisions and has been one bad performance away from being demoted to the Minor Leagues this season. Matusz is 0-3 with a 5.66 ERA this year, but he had an improved outing against the Toronto Blue Jays last time out.
He gave up 2 unearned runs in 6 innings in that game but was not factored into the decision. It won't get easier for the pitcher as he faces a batting line up that has routinely taken him to the cleaners. Matusz went 0-2 from 3 starts against them last season, giving up 15 innings in just under 11 innings pitched, and he is now 2-5 with a 5.10 ERA from 8 career starts against the Yankees.
It is likely that the Yankees will need to provide some run support for Phil Hughes who has really struggled at the mound all season. Hughes looks set to lose his place in the rotation after starting 2012 with a 1-3 record and a 7.88 ERA.
Hughes gave up 4 runs and hit 2 batters before being pulled in the 3rd inning against the Texas Rangers in his last start, and he has given up at least 4 runs in his last 3 starts. The pitcher can at least take some solace from the fact he is 3-0 and has a 3.86 ERA in 8 home appearances against Baltimore.
Nick Swisher is not on the disabled list just yet, but he is set to miss this game.
Head to Head
New York have won all 4 games they have played against the Baltimore Orioles this season and have improved to 43-15 since 2009 against their Division rivals.
Their win in game 1 of this series means they are now 22-6 in the Bronx against Baltimore.
New York are 7-4 at home, Baltimore are 6-5 on the road.
Prediction
A dangerous pick considering the way that Phil Hughes has been pitching for the New York Yankees, but I am backing the home team on the run line in this one.
While Hughes has been struggling, Brian Matusz has also had a hard time and looked set to be dropped to the Minor Leagues before somewhat recovering against the Toronto Blue Jays.
However, he has not enjoyed much success against the Yankees who look capable of putting up big runs against anyone they face, especially a pitcher that way lose a bit of confidence if he is shelled early.
It might be closer than expected if Hughes does not sort his command out from the mound, but the 2.20 on offer that the Yankees win by at least a couple of runs looks too good to pass up.
The Pick :
New York Yankees 8-6 Baltimore Orioles
