New York Yankees vs Oakland Athletics Series Preview: No Judge, No Problem?

Reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge Remains on IL With Toe Injury

The New York Yankees have struggled to produce without reigning American League Most Valuable Player Aaron Judge. Fortunately for their sake, the schedule is due to lighten up. Next up for the Bronx Bombers is a three-game series against the lowly Oakland Athletics, starting Tuesday at Oakland Coliseum. For a closer look at the matchup, check out our New York Yankees vs Oakland Athletics series preview.

Judge’s Outlook Uncertain

Yankees star outfielder Aaron Judge revealed he tore a ligament in his toe after crashing through the outfield fence at Dodger Stadium on June 4. The team had originally diagnosed Judge’s injury as a sprain and placed him on the Injured List. There is still no timetable for Judge’s return, raising concern about the Yankees’ standings, not to mention their sustainability as a serious contender.

At 43-35, the Yankees continue to sit in a playoff spot, a half game up on American League East rival Toronto for the second Wild Card. However, without Judge, the Yankees have had to go about things differently as their lineup continues to lack punch. They’ve averaged just 2.5 runs over their last 10 games. That’s put a lot more strain on their pitching staff. Fortunately, they may soon be getting back left-hander Carlos Rodon (back).

Since Judge’s injury, the Yankees have gone 8-10, and they managed to take two of three games from first-place Texas over the weekend despite scoring a combined eight runs. Prior to that, Judge was hitting .291 with 19 home runs and 40 RBI. He also led baseball with a 1.078 OPS. Obviously, his absence factors prominently in our New York Yankees vs Oakland Athletics series preview.

  • Judge’s odds of winning a second straight AL MVP have since plummeted to +5000. Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani is currently the runaway favorite at -600, ahead of Texas shortstop Corey Seager (+2800).

NY Falling Down Oddsboard

New York has fallen into third in the AL East, 9.5 games behind first-place Tampa Bay. As such, its odds of winning the division have taken a big hit. The Yankees are now priced at +1000 to leapfrog both Tampa Bay and Baltimore, down from +115 in spring training.

  • The Yankees have also seen their World Series odds drop from +750 to +1600. They now trail five teams: Braves (+375), Rays (+550), Dodgers (+600), Astros (+900) and Rangers (+1000).

Oakland Truly Woeful

The Athletics are just 1-10 over their last 11 games. That comes on the heels of a surprising seven-game winning streak, in which they managed to split a four-game series with AL favorite Tampa Bay. Oakland still owns the worst record in baseball at 20-60. At their current pace, the Athletics would match the Major League record for futility set by the 1962 Mets.

The Athletics have been outscored by a whopping 224 runs this season, worst in baseball by a hefty margin. Colorado (minus-123) and Kansas City (minus-122) are next closest. Keep in mind, New York outscored them 28-11 during a three-game sweep at Yankee Stadium in May.

Oakland has gone 36-44 against the spread this season, including 17-21 at home. Conversely, the Yankees are 41-37 ATS.

Game 1

  • Paul Blackburn vs Jhony Brito (Tuesday, 9:40 p.m. ET)

An All-Star in 2022, Blackburn owns a 4.21 ERA and has yet to record a decision across five starts. The 29-year-old right-hander began the season on the IL with a fingernail issue. He will oppose Brito, who is 4-3 with a 4.89 ERA as a rookie. Brito allowed two runs over 4.1 innings in an 11-3 victory over the Athletics on May 10. In their next outing, Blackburn and Brito are set to face off in an intense Yankees vs Athletics showdown.

  • New York is -137 favorite to win outright, with Oakland priced at +127. The projected total is 8.5 +105/-125. As you assess our New York Yankees vs Oakland Athletics series preview, keep an eye on line movement.

Game 2

  • JP Sears vs Domingo German (Wednesday, 9:40 p.m. ET)

Sears, a former Yankee farmhand, is 1-5 with a 4.10 ERA. The 27-year-old southpaw allowed five runs over 5.1 innings in a 7-2 loss to New York on May 8. He faces German, who is 4-5 with a 5.10 ERA. German has been knocked his past two starts, allowing 17 runs (15 earned) over 5.1 combined innings. Home runs (15 in 72.1 innings) have been an issue.

Game 3

  • TBD vs Clarke Schmidt (Thursday, 3:37 p.m. ET)

Schmidt held Oakland to two runs over six innings in a 10-5 victory on May 9. The 27-year-old right-hander is 2-6 with a 4.32 ERA. Oakland has yet to announce a starter for the getaway game.

For the best MLB bets today, odds, analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.


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