Published Jul 10, 7:51pm ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Jul 10, 7:51pm ET
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Updated Jul 10, 7:51pm ET
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| Washington Nationals | -185 |
| New York Yankees | +167 |
The Yankees hope to head to the All-Star break with some good vibes after a horrid few weeks in the run-up to the Midsummer Classic. The Nationals are no pushover, hovering around contention in the NL Wild Card race.
The Bombers send ace Cam Schlittler to the hill in his last start of the 1st half before heading to the All-Star Game.
Schlittler rebounded in his last start against the Rays by tossing 8 innings and allowing 4 hits and 1 run after his worst start of the season, in which the Tigers battered him for 6 earned runs and 7 hits, including 4 homers, in 4 innings.
For the season, he's got a 3.9 bWAR, leading the AL. He also leads the league in ERA at 2.01 and leads MLB in starts with 19. In 112 innings, he's allowed 83 hits, 25 earned runs, and 10 homers, walking 21 and striking out 131.
The Bombers have been dealing with some controversy in addition to their recent poor play. The "voice of the Yankees" on YES, Michael Kay, who doubles as what he purports to be an evenhanded analyst on his radio show, said that shortstop Anthony Volpe refused to play second base when asked to do so. This came from columnist Joel Sherman, a questionable source in his own right (to be gentle).
It turned out that Kay ran with the story without verifying it and it was denied by all parties. At least he apologized. Sherman didn't.
Volpe's nightmarish year and a half is getting worse.
Still, the Yankees are in good position and will assuredly make the playoffs.
Ben Rice continues to carry the team offensively in the absence of Aaron Judge. He has an OPS approaching .860. On the Judge front, there is talk that a date in which he will get new imaging on his injured rib is coming soon.
It's better than nothing.
Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger have been cold of late. Jazz Chisholm is still batting in the .220s. Austin Wells is hitting in the .150s. Volpe is in the .240s and has 1 home run. He needs a change of scenery for his own good.
For the Yankees against Miles Mikolas, Ryan McMahon is 7 for 17 with a home run and 6 K's. Bellinger is 2 for 23 with 2 singles. Jose Caballero is 1 for 2 with a single. Chisholm is 3 for 5 with a double. Goldschmidt is 2 for 6 with a double.
Miles Mikolas was removed from the Nationals' starting rotation in April after a dreadful start. He made a couple of starts in May, which were passable. His last two appearances have been as a starter, and the Red Sox and Astros strafed him. He allowed 13 earned runs in 13 innings.
Mikolas has a -0.7 bWAR and a 5.78 ERA. In 90.1 innings, he's allowed 101 hits, 58 earned runs, and 20 homers, walking 19 and striking out 50. He was reasonably effective out of the bullpen.
At the plate, All-Star James Wood has an OPS nearing .950. Fellow All-Star CJ Abrams has 20 homers and an OPS above .870. Luis Garcia has an OPS approaching .900 and 20 homers. Curtis Mead has 15 homers. Keibert Ruiz's season has turned around with an average hovering around .280.
For the Nats against Schlittler, Wood is 1 for 3 with a single. Abrams is 1 for 2 with a single and a walk. Luis Garcia Jr. is 1 for 3 with a single and 2 K's. Mead is 0 for 1.
For the Yankees, a loss in this game would be one of the worst during this skid. Mikolas has been utterly terrible. Schlittler is one of the best pitchers in baseball. The Nats have about 3.5 truly productive bats that the Yankees need to be concerned about.
New York will win this game going away, mostly based on the pitching matchup and how utterly bad Mikolas has been as a starter all season long.
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Pick
New York Yankees -185
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