The Cleveland Guardians arrive at Yankee Stadium for the American League Divisional series after quickly eliminating the Tampa Bay Rays. For their part, the New York Yankees have been preparing for this game since June, if not Spring Training.
We’ll break down game 1 of the ALDS and give our picks and predictions for the game where the Yankees (-1.5) are listed with odds between +104 and +112 on the run line spread.
Cleveland Guardians: Keeping it Close and Winning
The Cleveland Guardians won both of their Wild Card matchups by a one-run spread. The Guardians will want to keep it close and not engage with the Yankees in an offensive showdown. The Yankees ranked second in average runs per game (5.23), while the Guardians ranked 18th (4.27) in 2022.
The Cleveland Guardians have left-handed pitcher Cal Quantrill scheduled to start game one of the ALDS from Yankee Stadium. In 2022, Quantrill posted a 15-5 record in thirty-two appearances, pitching to a 3.38 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP.
New York Yankees: The American League’s Best Team Starting Their Journey to the World Series
Since spring training, the New York Yankees have been tagged as one of the likely teams to make the MLB postseason. By the All-star break, the Yankees and Dodgers were head-to-head for the best team in the league. The Yankees struggled more in the second half of the MLB season but remained one of two teams likely to give the Los Angeles Dodgers or Atlanta Braves trouble in the World Series.
The New York Yankees have right-handed pitcher Gerrit Cole scheduled to throw out the first pitch of game one of the ALDS from Yankee Stadium. In 2022, Cole posted a 13-8 record in thirty-three appearances, pitching to a 3.50 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP.
Guardians vs. Yankees Pick and Prediction
The New York Yankees are the moneyline betting favorite, with odds listed between -200 and -227. The Cleveland Guardians are the moneyline underdog, with odds listed between +170 and +180.
The Cleveland Guardians (+1.5) are the betting favorite on the run line spread, with odds listed between -125 and -133. The New York Yankees (-1.5) are the betting underdog, listed between +104 and +112.
The total runs for the Guardians vs. Yankees are set a 7. The over is listed with odds between +104 and -105, while the under is listed between -110 and -123.
Our Pick: Aaron Judge might not see a pitch to swing at unless the Guardians have to pitch to him. This strategy won’t be enough to stop the Yankees’ offense, as we expect the Yankees to start their journey to the World Series on the right foot with a win.
We’re taking a parlay of the New York Yankees to win on the moneyline and cover the run line spread to maximize the value from a successful ALDS game 1 for the Yankees. We’re taking the Yankees to cover the run line spread (-1.5) with odds between +104 and +112.
