Detroit Tigers vs. New York Yankees Best Bet: Can Yankees Get To Brendan White, Tigers?
The Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees play game three of their four-game series tonight. Can the Yankees get to Brendan White and the Tigers? Ben Rajavuori answers.
Ben Rajavuori - August 30, 2023, 4:15 PM EDT
5 minDetroit Tigers vs. New York Yankees Best Bet: Can Yankees Get To Brendan White, Tigers?
The Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees square off in game three of a four-game series tonight in Detroit, with the Yankees up 2-0 in the series. If the Yankees won tonight, it would be their first series win since July 23rd in their home series against the Kansas City Royals. It's been a tumultuous season for the Yankees, but behind Gerrit Cole, they have played some of their best baseball. Can they win tonight and set up a sweep situation tomorrow behind their ace?
Tigers vs. Yankees Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: August 30, 2023
- Time: 6:40 pm ET
- Where to Watch: MLB.TV, YESN
Detroit Tigers vs. New York Yankees Prediction
Gerrit Cole has been one of the very few bright spots in this bleak season for the Yankees. He has stayed healthy, been dominant, and, most importantly, consistent. This is why he is -180 to win the AL Cy Young right now on FanDuel. Not too many other pitchers have a better league in the AL, although Sonny Gray and Luis Castillo are up there. Cole has a 2.95 ERA this season, which is the lowest among qualified pitchers, although Sonny Gray is slightly lower with a 2.92, but he does not qualify yet. Cole has only had a few blow-up starts against top-tier lineups this season, but he has been utterly dominant in a majority of his starts. This is why the Yankees are 17-10 in Cole's 27 starts this season. That's the best record of any of their pitchers, which comes as no surprise.
Speaking of dominant, Cole has absolutely owned the Tigers. Cole owns the Tigers, like Aaron Rodgers owns the Bears. In 11 appearances against the Tigers in his career, Cole is 9-2 (team win record, not pitcher) with a 1.94 ERA and 84 strikeouts. Yes, a 1.94 ERA. Over his last five starts against them, he has a .99 ERA. So, on the Yankees' side, I'm not worried about Cole shutting down the Tigers' bats.
On the Tigers' side, they scratched Joey Wentz and are instead going with a bullpen game tonight. Therefore, it doesn't really matter about Brendan White because he will only be pitching one inning, maybe two, if he does well. As a whole, a bullpen game spells trouble for the Tigers because their bullpen has not been very good. Over the last 30 days, the Tigers' bullpen has posted a 5.16 ERA and has issued 45 walks while allowing a .268 average to opposing hitters. While the Yankees' order has not been the hottest in the league, they have posted four runs in three straight games, which may be all they need against Gerrit Cole.
It's no secret that the Yankees should win this game behind Cole, as they are -210 to do so. However, the first five line has some pretty good value, as the Yankees are only -132 to have the lead after five innings on FanDuel. With the potential Cy Young on the mound against a bullpen game for the Tigers, who have a 5.16 ERA the last month, I like my chances on the Yankees to have the lead at the halfway point tonight.
Detroit Tigers vs. New York Yankees Best Bet
Pick: Yankees First Five -.5 -132 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds.
MLB Odds
