Philadelphia Phillies (32-29) Roy Halladay, at New York Yankees
(40-23) CC Sabathia, Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York, 7:05 PM EST,
Tuesday, June 15th, 2010
by Badger of Predictem.com
Betting Line: Phillies +120/Yankees -130
Total: 7.5
Last years two World Series foes will stage a rare midseason rematch
thanks to Major League Baseballs interleague play when the
Philadelphia Phillies head back to the Bronx to take on the New York Yankees in their new home at Yankee Stadium Tuesday night.
Tonights interleague rematch gains even more national attention on
because it features what would likely be a duo of World Series game
one pitchers on the bump, when the Phillies trot out prize free-agent
righty Roy Halladay against the Yankees ace lefty free-agent from
last year, CC Sabathia.
What also adds layer of intrigue to the series opener tonight is the
fact that oddsmakers have decided that Sabathia and the Yankees are
worthy of opening as -135 favorites on the moneyline, making the
Phillies and Doc Halladay the rarest of rare +120 to +125 underdogs
at the offshore sportsbooks that offer dimelines and reduced juice.
There are still many sportsbooks that have yet to list an over/under
total on their boards, the houses that have released a total are
listing it at 7.5 with a little extra juice on the over bet (-115).
The oddsmakers take on the opener is influenced by the way these two
teams are playing at the moment though, with the Phillies struggling
to score runs and consequently sporting a 4-5 record in their last
three series played, while the Yankees continue to roll winning three
straight and six of their last seven even though they came against
the two worst teams in the league, Baltimore and Houston.
Tonights pitching showdown should be a good one, as both starters
seem to be ready for it now that Sabathia has turned around his late-
May struggles.
I say seems to be ready because his splits are much better than he was in May, going 2-0 in his last three (Yanks 2-1) with a 1.25 WHIP,
but its hard to tell if its because hes pitching better or because
hes getting an average of seven runs of support (7.0 AF, 6.0 AA).
Halladay is two games removed from his no-hitter against the Marlins
and even though he was tagged for 10 hits in the start after his no-
no, he threw another gem (8 IP, 6 H, 1 R) against the Marlins again
last time out and is still pitching like a robot out there overall (.
263 OBP, 1.02 WHIP).
The Phillies did win two of three at Yankee Stadium in last years
interleague series, winning the finale in extra innings 4-3 in a game
started by Sabathia (vs. Cole Hamels). Cliff Lee outdueled Sabathia
in game one as well, so for the record the big lefty has yet to beat
the Phillies in two tries last season.
Halladay is 18-6 in 35 career starts versus the Yanks with excellent
splits to boot (2.84 ERA, 1.112 WHIP, ,289 OBP, .655 OPS), but those
numbers fall apart in his two starts in new Yankee Stadium as a Blue
Jay last year (1.846 WHIP, .434 OBP, 1.121 OPS (3 HR)) despite a 1-0
record in those starts.
The under prevailed in all three of those interleague games last year, but in only one of the three World Series games played there in
the postseason. The under is 3-0 in Halladays last three starts (5-8
overall).
Badgers Pick: I know the Phillies are struggling, but I cant pass up a chance to take Doc Halladay as an underdog, even if its against
the Yankees. Take Philly at +120.
