Yankees rare MLB odds underdogs at home to Rangers in Game 3
No, that's not a misprint. The New York Yankees opened as underdogs in the postseason on their own diamond. Texas' choice for its starting pitcher is the reason why.
If there's one thing the baseball playoffs have been giving bettors and fans a like, it's some of the best pitching matchups seen all season. Monday's ALCS Game 3 certainly fits the bill.
The Texas Rangers and New York Yankees move their set to the Bronx with a battle of left-handers. One is among the top arms the past few seasons, the other is one of the top postseason money pitchers of all-time. Texas' Cliff Lee (8-9, 3.60) will look to extend his playoff string to eight consecutive winning efforts for his teams in this, his third go in that stretch against New York. New York's Andy Pettitte (17-5, 3.24) will be after his 20th playoff victory.
Lee is getting the respect from the MLB oddsmakers for Monday's game, with TheGreek.com listing the Rangers as minus 115 choices behind their ace. The total has been set a 7½ runs across the board, with every offshore shop I can find that's posting a number also juicing the 'under.'
Texas and New York arrive at Yankee Stadium for the 8 p.m. ET start tied a game apiece in the ALCS. After the Rangers blew a big lead in Game 1 Friday night, they rebounded in Game 2 with a 7-2 triumph. Texas starter Colby Lewis, a slight 105 underdog to Phil Hughes and the Yanks, worked into the sixth before running out of gas. This time, Ron Washington's relief corps didn't let him down as he mixed in four arms from the pen over the final 3 1/3 frames to wrap up the first home playoff victory in Texas franchise history.
At some point this season we could be seeing Pettitte on a big league mound for the last time. The 38-year-old is a free agent once the betting action ends on this season, and there are no indications yet that he will return to the field.
Pettitte, who missed about two months of action on the 2010 schedule with groin/back trouble, saw the Rangers in mid-April in the Bronx, and enjoyed one of his lengthiest outings of the year in a 5-2 Yankees win. The game closed out a New York series sweep, with the Yanks 160 money line favorites and Pettitte working eight innings while allowing the two runs on just four hits.
Pettitte picked up his 19th postseason win in Game 2 of the ALCS at Minnesota. New York closed as 115 chalk in that one, and their veteran southpaw went seven innings with the Twins scoring twice in the Yankees' 5-2 triumph. The game was 11 days ago (Oct. 7), so Pettitte has had plenty of rest after throwing just 88 pitches in the win.
When I think of Lee pitching in New York, I will always have this image of his nonchalant catch of a Johnny Damon pop in Game 1 of the 2009 World Series (view video). He could win 19 playoff games like Pettitte eventually, and that one play will still always stick out.
Lee could win 19 postseason games within the next few seasons with the rate he's going. He has now started seven postseason games since his first one last October, and his teams are 7-0 with Lee 6-0 in the efforts. The Arkansan hurled Texas into October's second round with his starts in Game 1 and Game 5 of the ALDS versus Tampa Bay.
This will be the fourth time the Yankees lineup – the top-scoring group in the majors – to see Lee this season. He made two home starts versus New York while in the Texas rotation, with the Rangers 1-1 in those outings. Lee also faced the Yanks in New York while with the Mariners earlier this season, going the distance with three earned runs allowed in a 7-4 Seattle win as 145 underdogs.
Mass native Jim Reynolds should have the plate for Game 3. This will be Reynolds' first ALCS plate assignment after being part of three LDS crews before. He was 17-10-1 'over' on the season, 8-6 when the number was eight or less.
A partly cloudy day with a 10 percent shot at rain is in the Monday forecast for the Bronx. We're probably looking at a first-pitch temp around 55ºF. Check available info on Monday for wind listings.
Game 4 is set for another prime-time broadcast on Tuesday and could be in for some rain issues according to current forecasts. The two managers are still listing Tommy Hunter for the visitors and AJ Burnett for the home squad.
NOTE: W-L records displayed for starting pitchers are team records in games the pitchers start, including the postseason.
No, that's not a misprint. The New York Yankees opened as underdogs in the postseason on their own diamond. Texas' choice for its starting pitcher is the reason why.
If there's one thing the baseball playoffs have been giving bettors and fans a like, it's some of the best pitching matchups seen all season. Monday's ALCS Game 3 certainly fits the bill.
The Texas Rangers and New York Yankees move their set to the Bronx with a battle of left-handers. One is among the top arms the past few seasons, the other is one of the top postseason money pitchers of all-time. Texas' Cliff Lee (8-9, 3.60) will look to extend his playoff string to eight consecutive winning efforts for his teams in this, his third go in that stretch against New York. New York's Andy Pettitte (17-5, 3.24) will be after his 20th playoff victory.
Lee is getting the respect from the MLB oddsmakers for Monday's game, with TheGreek.com listing the Rangers as minus 115 choices behind their ace. The total has been set a 7½ runs across the board, with every offshore shop I can find that's posting a number also juicing the 'under.'
Texas and New York arrive at Yankee Stadium for the 8 p.m. ET start tied a game apiece in the ALCS. After the Rangers blew a big lead in Game 1 Friday night, they rebounded in Game 2 with a 7-2 triumph. Texas starter Colby Lewis, a slight 105 underdog to Phil Hughes and the Yanks, worked into the sixth before running out of gas. This time, Ron Washington's relief corps didn't let him down as he mixed in four arms from the pen over the final 3 1/3 frames to wrap up the first home playoff victory in Texas franchise history.
At some point this season we could be seeing Pettitte on a big league mound for the last time. The 38-year-old is a free agent once the betting action ends on this season, and there are no indications yet that he will return to the field.
Pettitte, who missed about two months of action on the 2010 schedule with groin/back trouble, saw the Rangers in mid-April in the Bronx, and enjoyed one of his lengthiest outings of the year in a 5-2 Yankees win. The game closed out a New York series sweep, with the Yanks 160 money line favorites and Pettitte working eight innings while allowing the two runs on just four hits.
Pettitte picked up his 19th postseason win in Game 2 of the ALCS at Minnesota. New York closed as 115 chalk in that one, and their veteran southpaw went seven innings with the Twins scoring twice in the Yankees' 5-2 triumph. The game was 11 days ago (Oct. 7), so Pettitte has had plenty of rest after throwing just 88 pitches in the win.
When I think of Lee pitching in New York, I will always have this image of his nonchalant catch of a Johnny Damon pop in Game 1 of the 2009 World Series (view video). He could win 19 playoff games like Pettitte eventually, and that one play will still always stick out.
Lee could win 19 postseason games within the next few seasons with the rate he's going. He has now started seven postseason games since his first one last October, and his teams are 7-0 with Lee 6-0 in the efforts. The Arkansan hurled Texas into October's second round with his starts in Game 1 and Game 5 of the ALDS versus Tampa Bay.
This will be the fourth time the Yankees lineup – the top-scoring group in the majors – to see Lee this season. He made two home starts versus New York while in the Texas rotation, with the Rangers 1-1 in those outings. Lee also faced the Yanks in New York while with the Mariners earlier this season, going the distance with three earned runs allowed in a 7-4 Seattle win as 145 underdogs.
Mass native Jim Reynolds should have the plate for Game 3. This will be Reynolds' first ALCS plate assignment after being part of three LDS crews before. He was 17-10-1 'over' on the season, 8-6 when the number was eight or less.
A partly cloudy day with a 10 percent shot at rain is in the Monday forecast for the Bronx. We're probably looking at a first-pitch temp around 55ºF. Check available info on Monday for wind listings.
Game 4 is set for another prime-time broadcast on Tuesday and could be in for some rain issues according to current forecasts. The two managers are still listing Tommy Hunter for the visitors and AJ Burnett for the home squad.
NOTE: W-L records displayed for starting pitchers are team records in games the pitchers start, including the postseason.
Going to check my books. hopefully they have
but i don't know. i may just stay a mile away from this game but gun to my head i refuse to bet against lee til he proves he's human in the playoffs
