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The New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins Game 1 had betting odds of New York -145, Minnesota +135 and a total of 7.5 at Sportsbook.com.
The defending World Series champs open up their title defense by sending CC Sabathia to the mound in Game 1, as outdoor October baseball returns to Minnesota for the first time in 40 years.
The big left-hander hopes to continue New York’s recent dominance of the Twins. The Yankees are 20-6 (+12.9 Units) against Minnesota over the past three years. Sabathia has enjoyed success of his own against the Twins, going 14-8 with a 2.99 ERA in 29 career starts against his ex-division rival. He’s won his last six starts against Minnesota, posting a miniscule 1.27 ERA over that span. Sabathia has also fared well on the road this year, taking a 10-5 mark and a 3.34 ERA into Wednesday’s matchup.
Fellow left-hander Francisco Liriano (14-10, 3.62 ERA) will make the start for the Twins. Liriano has been one of the reasons the Twins posted the best home record in the AL this year, going 7-5 with a 3.11 ERA at Target Field. However, he enters the postseason on a rocky note after losing his last three starts and posting an 8.10 ERA over that span. He’s 0-2 in four career starts against the Yankees, but has a strong 3.33 ERA against New York. The Twins have dropped all four of Liriano’s starts against the Yanks.
Despite Liriano’s numbers against New York, this baseball betting trend found at Sportsbook.com sides with Minnesota Game 1:
Play On - All underdogs with a money line of +100 or higher (MINNESOTA) - poor base running team - averaging 0.5 or less SB's/game on the season, in October games.
(42-26 over the last 5 seasons.) (61.8%, +35.6 units. Rating = 4*)
Play Against - Road teams (NY YANKEES) - with a starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.300 or better on the season-AL, starting over a rested pitcher who is working on 7 or more days rest. (72-32 over the last 5 seasons.) (69.2%, +39.8 units. Rating = 3*).
Yankees vs. Twins betting odds can be found here at Sportsbook.com. - Carrie Stroup reporting for Gambling911.com.
