MLB Baseball
2011-05-07 - New York Yankees at Texas Rangers
A Sports Betting Pick by Goober
Baseball: United States: MLB 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011 - First Pitch 8:05 PM ET
A rematch of last year's American League Championship Series is on for tonight in Arlington. New York (18-12) won the first game of the series on Friday night, 4-1. They have now won 3 of the 4 games between these games so far this season.
Texas (17-16) are falling fast. They are now 8-15 since Josh Hamilton was injured and have fallen 2 games behind the Los Angeles Angels in the AL West.
The offense has been a big problem for the Rangers in the last week or so. In addition to Hamilton, Nelson Cruz has been out the last few games with a quad injury. Some think he could return tonight, but he is scheduled to have an MRI today, so that may be more optimistic than realistic.
Texas will have to hope lefty Derek Holland can keep the Yankees within reach tonight. Holland is having a decent season at 3-1 with a 4.66 ERA. His one loss was in Yankee Stadium three weeks ago today as he gave up 5 runs in just under 8 innings. Holland had held them to 3 runs in 7 innings, but was left out there too long because of lack of faith in the bullpen and it cost them 2 more runs.
Holland is 0-3 lifetime against Hew York with an ERA over 8 in the regular season. He did pitch 5 2/3 scoreless innings against them in last year's playoffs and got credit for the win in Game 4. Holland is 2-0 at home in 2011, but has a 6.50 ERA so he has mainly relied on strong offensive support.
The Yankees will counter with veteran right-hander Bartolo Colon. Colon was signed as an emergency option in the offseason after not appearing in the major leagues in 2010. Before this season, Colon had appeared in only 48 games since 2005. So there was little sign that he could pitch as well as has this year.
Colon is 2-1 with an ERA of 3.00 so far in 33 innings of work. His first 3 appearances were in relief but has now moved into the starting rotation with Phil Hughes out. Colon has gone at least 6 2/3 innings in all 3 starts and has not given up more than 3 runs in any of them.
Colon is 17-6 with a 3.60 ERA against Texas. Only two of those appearances have been since 2005 though, with a win and a loss.
With the Rangers at full strength for the game, they might win the game. But with the offense struggling and missing two key parts, it seems a longshot. The odds offered on New York are too good to pass up.
UPDATE - Nelson Cruz placed on Disabled List and will miss this game.
Take New York to win this game.
The Pick :
New York 6, Texas 3
