The New York Yankees are starting to lose some ground in the American League East as back-to-back defeats have left them trailing by six games in the division race behind leaders the Baltimore Orioles. With the two sides set to square off in Baltimore for the opening game of a crucial three-game set, will the Yankees slash their rivals’ edge to five or will the Orioles continue their dominance over their AL East counterparts?
Over in Kansas City, the Athletics look to extend their lead in the AL West as they face the surging Royals. Read on for our preview of these two important baseball games and also check out our daily MLB free picks article for our predictions for the five best baseball games to bet on for today.
[sc:MultiSportArticles ]New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles (7:05 PM ET)
Line: New York Yankees (+127) at Baltimore Orioles (-137); total: 8.5 – see all MLB lines
The Orioles will send Bud Norris (9-7, 3.68 ERA) to the mound later tonight as they look to bounce back from their atrocious performance against the Cardinals yesterday, an 8-3 loss that snapped their three-game winning streak..
[sc:MLB240banner ]Norris gave up two earned runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings of work as he snapped his own two-game losing funk in the Orioles’ 9-3 win over division rivals Toronto last week. He was also impressive in his last game at home against the Angels, throwing seven shutout innings in a 1-0 losing effort.
The Yankees, on the other hand, will give the ball to pitcher Chris Capuano (1-2, 3.91 ERA). Capuano was dominant in his last start against the Tigers, hurling 6 2/3 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts as the Yankees emerged 5-1 victors.
The Orioles are 7-3 in their last ten home games while the Yankees have struggled on the road lately going 4-6 in their last ten away from New York. The Yankees, however, are 3-2 in their last five meetings with the Orioles at Camden Yards.
Writer’s Prediction
The Yankees (+127) will cut the Orioles’ lead in the standings to five games as they grab the opener of this three-game set.
Oakland Athletics vs. Kansas City Royals (8:10 PM ET)
Line: Oakland Athletics (-122) at Kansas City Royals (+112); total 7.0 – view all MLB lines
Sonny Gray (12-5, 2.87 ERA) has lost back-to-back games to start the month of August as he failed to replicate his pitching performances last July that earned him AL Pitcher of the Month honors.
He had his worst start of the season in his last outing, allowing a career-high seven runs, six earned, in just 4 1/3 innings of action as the Athletics lost 7-3 to the Tampa Bay Rays. Gray had allowed a total of five runs over his previous six starts and will be looking to avenge his 1-0 defeat to the Royals earlier this month that started this two-game losing skid.
The Royals, on the other hand, will send Yordano Ventura (9-8, 3.47 ERA) to the mound as they look to extend their seven-game unbeaten run. Ventura has won his last two assignments allowing a total of just three earned runs in 13 innings of work while helping the Royals cut the deficit in the AL Central to just half a game behind the reeling Detroit Tigers.
The Athletics are 5-5 in their last 10 road games while the Royals are an impressive 8-2 in their last 10 games at home. The A’s are 3-2 in their last five meetings with the Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
Writer’s Prediction
The Athletics (-122) will snap the Royals’ seven-game winning run as they extend their lead in the AL West.
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