A potential playoff matchup concludes on Sunday, August 29, 2021, when the New York Yankees (76-53, 37-28 away) visit the Oakland Athletics (71-59, 36-31 home). New York is currently in a playoff spot, but Oakland still has some work to do as we enter the final month of the season. This game will air live on ESPN at 7:00 p.m. EST.
The New York Yankees have been red-hot but are still five games back of the first-place Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East. However, this good run of form has catapulted the Yankees to the top Wild Card spot and are 5.5 games ahead of Oakland, who are currently the first team out.
Oakland’s poor run has costed them as they are now 6.5 games back of the first-place Houston Astros in the American League West and are now 3.5 games back of the Boston Red Sox for the second Wild Card spot. The Athletics need a strong September.
Below is my pick for the Sunday Night Baseball action between the New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics. All odds are from Caesars Sportsbook.
New York Yankees (-148) at Oakland Athletics (+126): O/U 9.0 (-114/-106)
Pitching Matchup: Jordan Montgomery (5-5, 3.69 ERA, 1.20 WHIP) vs Paul Blackburn (0-1, 4.09 ERA, 1.18 WHIP)
Betting Trends
NY Yankees
- NY Yankees are 13-1 SU in their last 14 games.
- NY Yankees are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games against Oakland.
- NY Yankees are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games on the road.
- NY Yankees are 3-10 SU in their last 13 games when playing on the road against Oakland.
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Yankees’ last 6 games against an opponent in the American League.
- The total has gone UNDER in 9 of NY Yankees’ last 12 games against an opponent in the American League West Division division.
Oakland A’s
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oakland’s last 6 games.
- Oakland are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Oakland’s last 10 games against NY Yankees.
- Oakland are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games at home.
- Oakland are 10-3 SU in their last 13 games when playing at home against NY Yankees.
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oakland’s last 6 games played in August.
- The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Oakland’s last 10 games played on a Sunday.
Jordan Montgomery has caught fire at the right time as his last five outings have been spectacular. Montgomery allowed one earned run or less in four of those starts and did not allow more than five hits in any of the five appearances. So far in August, Montgomery has allowed 11 hits and five earned runs in 14.2 innings pitched. The Yankees have won the lefty’s last four starts.
Paul Blackburn, who just got called up on August 18th, is set to make his third start for the Oakland Athletics. In his first two starts, Blackburn has allowed 10 hits and five earned runs in 11.0 innings of work. Oakland has lost both of Blackburn’s starts this season.
Series Recap:
This four-game series started with a bang as the Yankees won 7-6, Thursday night, to extend their winning streak to 12 games. New York raced out to a 6-0 lead in the third inning, but Oakland fought back to tie the game up by the end of the fifth inning. The game stayed tied until Aaron Judge singled home the game winning run in the top of the 9th inning.
New York won game two 8-2, to extend their winning streak to 13 games, but Oakland was able to derail the freight train Saturday night with a 3-2 win.
Prediction: Give me Oakland +126 to get the win on Sunday Night Baseball.