New York Yankees (94-68) vs. Cleveland Guardians (92-69)
With two games in hand, the New York Yankees have raced to a 2-0 lead in the ALCS over the Cleveland Guardians and are looking strong this postseason. Considering how well the Yankees have performed in the playoffs, they seem primed to mount more victories, while the Guardians are under pressure to stage a comeback. At hand is the objective of progressing to the next stage of the series and implementing strategies that will work in the remainder of this competitive series. Those with an eye on winning MLB postseason picks will be interested in this matchup.
The Yankees achieved an impressive 94-68 regular season record, indicating their balanced offense and pitching. Their batting average is 0.248, while their batting order has been served with 237 homers. The team’s SLG amounts to .429, which adds to its on-base average, which also stands at .333, indicating they can place people on base and make runs well. Their pitchers have also held their end of the deal with a reasonable team ERA of 3.74 and 1457 strikeouts during the season.
On the other hand, although the Cleveland Guardians kept fighting for much of the campaign, now they are in an unfavorable position in this series. The Guardians have 708 runs and 185 home runs this season with a team batting average of .238, which is lower than the Yankees. Their on-base percentage (.307) and slugging percentage (.395) are good but not as fearsome as New York’s. Nonetheless, their pitching staff has exceeded expectations with a solid team ERA of 3.61 and WHIP of 1.2 – a fraction better than the Yankees.
New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Guardians Game Info
| When: | Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 5:08 PM ET |
| Where: | Progressive Field |
| TV: | TBS |
| Stream: | MLB.TV |
Clarke Schmidt (5-5 W-L, 2.85 ERA) vs. Matthew Boyd (2-2 W-L, 2.72 ERA)
This season, Clarke Schmidt of the Yankees has established himself as a dependable starter, boasting a respectable 2.85 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP going into this important matchup. For the season, Schmidt has surrendered 71 hits and 8 home runs, and 93 punchouts over 85.1 innings. Their effectiveness in cooperation to limit both walks (30) and home runs will prove to be of utmost importance against a Guardians team that is capable of taking advantage of any pitching errors. This time, Schmidt’s performance might be highly demanded, but looking at the current stats for the season, it appears to be manageable for him.
Matthew Boyd of the Guardians has an ERA of 2.72 which is moderately better than his counterpart, however his sample size is smaller (39.2) meaning he has a greater chance of performing under more pressure in the postseason. Boyd has registered a 1.13 WHIP and 46 strikeouts which conform to excellent standards. His task will be to get through and last longer in the tough New York Yankees batting rotation to ease the strain on the relief pitchers.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: New York Yankees -123, Total Odds: 7
The betting odds favor the Yankees slightly in the moneyline at -123, reflecting their strong performance in the series so far and their postseason experience. The over/under set at 7 runs suggests a tight, possibly low-scoring game anticipated by oddsmakers, considering the strong pitching on display.
New York Yankees Betting Trends
The Yankees have been formidable, especially on the road, winning their last 5 away games. Their ability to perform under playoff pressure is reflected in their 8-2 SU record in the last 10 games against Cleveland, making them a solid bet for those looking to capitalize on consistent postseason performers.
Cleveland Guardians Betting Trends
The Guardians have struggled lately, with a 3-6 SU record in their last 9 games. The trend of games going UNDER in 13 of their last 17 at home could influence betting strategies, especially with their strong pitching but occasionally faltering batting lineup.
New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Guardians 10/17/24 Betting Picks
Given the current momentum and statistical edges, the Yankees are poised to take Game 3. Their consistent batting and strategic pitching depth give them the upper hand. However, the Guardians’ strong pitching and desperation to stay alive in the series might just tighten the game more than expected.
Betting enthusiasts who often look out for the best betting websites should consider taking the Yankees in spread betting while the total may be a case of under given the abilities of both starting pitchers. Prop bets could center around strikeouts and innings televised, more so when both pitchers appear to have been in good form towards the end of the season.
