When will the pain end?
The Yankees have lost seven of their past nine games, dropping series to the Orioles, Cubs, Rockies and Angels.
They blew a late two-run lead on Monday and lost in extra innings.
They’re now officially in the cellar in the AL East.
But sports betting is about selling high and buying low.
I’m a sports bettor.
So, I’m throwing caution to the wind and buying low on the Bronx Bombers for Tuesday’s game.
Probable pitchers: Patrick Sandoval (LHP) vs. Domingo German (RHP)
Angels vs. Yankees prediction
9:38 p.m. ET, MLB Network
Aaron Judge went down on June 4. Since then, the Yankees lineup ranks:
- Last in BA (.220)
- 28th in OBP (.289)
- 27th in SLG (.371)
- 26th in OPS (.660)
- 27th in wRC+ (84)
The Judge-less Yankees cannot hit.
But check this out.
During the same stretch but against left-handed pitching, the Yankees lineup ranks:
- Fifth in BA (.273)
- Second in SLG (.491)
- Third in OPS (.822)
- Third in wRC+ (125)
- Fourth in expected wOBA (.347)
What’s up with that?
It’s simple: The Yankees stack eight right-handed bats in their lineup on most nights, and many of those hitters have typical platoon splits.
For example, guys like Anthony Volpe (.635 OPS vs. RHP, .741 vs. LHP), D.J. LeMahieu (.650 vs. RHP, .714 vs. LHP) and Giancarlo Stanton (.620 vs. RHP, 1.148 vs. LHP) all hit substantially better against that side.
Enter Anaheim starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval.
Sandoval is an average Major League southpaw who can dominate when his slider-change mix is working.
But he struggles with control and command (9.5% walk rate), so he’s often inconsistent.
Sandoval is currently struggling with command and control, and his slider-change mix has been mostly mediocre over the past month.
So, predictably, he’s posted a 6.23 ERA since June 1.
Between Sandoval’s struggles and New York’s prowess for hitting left-handed pitching, I actually think the Yankees’ lifeless offense will score some runs on Tuesday night.
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And I don’t see that stopping once Sandoval is pulled.
The Angels’ bullpen is one of the worst in baseball, and Anaheim’s relief core has posted an 8.91 ERA over the past two weeks.
The Yankees and Angels matched up in a Sandoval start earlier this season on April 20.
The Yanks drew six walks off Sandoval and tagged him for five runs in a 9-3 win.
I expect a similar result in this start, even without Judge.
When the world Zigs, you should Zag.
Bet on the Yanks to score plenty without their superstar.
Although, we shouldn’t be surprised when they look incompetent again.
Our pick: Yankees team total over 4.5 (-105 at BetMGM)
