Free MLB Picks Today: Milwaukee Brewers vs New York Yankees 9/16/22

The New York Yankees (87-56) take one of the most productive offenses in the league on the road to face the Milwaukee Brewers (76-67) at American Family Field on Friday to open a three-game Interleague series. The Yankees are coming off a two-game sweep of the Red Sox, taking the finale 5-3 on Wednesday at Fenway Park for their fourth straight win. Gleyber Torres was 3 for 5 with one run and one RBI. The Brewers are playing the first of six games at home. They split their last series against the Cardinals, dropping the finale 4-1 on Wednesday at Busch Stadium. Jace Peterson went 1 for 3 with one run. The teams are meeting for the first time since July 9, 2017, when the Brewers finished off a 2-1 series win with a 5-3 victory at Yankee Stadium.

ON THE MOUND

Frankie Montas (5-12, 3.79 ERA) is set to start for New York. The RHP allowed four runs over 5.2 innings in his last start, a 4-2 home defeat against the Rays on September 9. He was charged with the loss, scattering nine hits while striking out four and walking four. Right-hander Adrian Houser (6-9, 4.83 ERA) will toe the rubber for Milwaukee. In his last start on Saturday, Houser got the win at home against the Reds. He threw six innings and gave up one run on one hit, walking two, in the 5-1 victory.

AT THE PLATE

The New York offense is averaging 5.0 runs per game for the season, second best in MLB, with a slash line of .239/.322/.423. Aaron Judge leads the team in OPS at 1.102. The right fielder is slashing .310/.413/.688 with 57 home runs, 123 RBIs, and 117 runs over 139 games. Over the last five games, however, New York has averaged 6.8 runs a game while slashing better across the board (.275/.335/.461). Against right-handed pitchers like Houser this season, the Yanks have a .740 OPS. Judge also is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a 1.135 OPS in 387 at-bats. Milwaukee is slashing .235/.316/.410 for the season and averaging 4.5 runs per game. Hunter Renfroe leads the team with a .803 OPS. The right fielder has 25 home runs, 63 RBIs, and 51 runs scored with a slash line of .252/.313/.490. The Brew Crew have a .751 OPS against right-handers in 2022, fourth highest in MLB. With ann .827 OPS over 298 at-bats, Kolten Wong has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

New York is on a three-game winning streak away from Yankee Stadium, bringing their record to 37-34 in 2022. The Yanks have scored 4.8 runs per game away from home, while allowing 3.7 runs. Milwaukee has gone 39-27 at home this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game while surrendering 4.0. In six games between the teams at American Family Field, Milwaukee is 4-2 despite an average scoreline favoring New York (5.0-3.8).

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Yankees lead the AL East by six games over the Blue Jays. The Brewers are second in the NL Central, eight games behind the Cardinals. They are fourth in the Wild Card race, two games out of a postseason position.