Cleveland Guardians (39-34) vs New York Yankees (56-21)
Friday, July 01, 2022 at 7:10 pm
A.L. Non-Division Game of the Year. My selection is on New York -1.5 runs over Cleveland at 7:10 pm et on Friday.
The Yankees were defeated by the Astros in a one-off in Houston last night, struggling to get anything going offensively in that contest. I expect them to have no such trouble on Friday as they head to Cleveland to face the Guardians. Gerrit Cole will take the ball for New York. He checks in sporting a 3.20 FIP and 1.01 WHIP this season, allowing just shy of 3.0 runs per nine innings. Of course, behind Cole is one of the best bullpens in baseball, with the Yanks relief corps having posted a sparkling 0.83 ERA and 0.97 WHIP over the last seven games. Aaron Civale has looked a little better since returning from the I.L. but that's not saying much. He still owns an ugly 1.60 WHIP to go along with a 4.48 FIP in 40 innings of work this season. Opponents have reached him for a whopping 8.1 runs per nine innings. The Cleveland bullpen has struggled lately, recording a 6.35 ERA and 1.94 WHIP over the last seven contests. The Guardians have just seven saves converted compared to three blown at home this season. Take New York -1.5 runs (10*).