Free MLB Picks Today: Milwaukee Brewers vs New York Yankees 9/18/22

The strikeout-prone Milwaukee Brewers (78-67) face a tough test at American Family Field on Sunday against the New York Yankees (87-58) and Gerrit Cole, owner of one of this season’s best K/9 rates, with the home team in position to sweep the three-game Interleague series. The Brewers lead the series 2-0 after winning 4-1 on Saturday. Starter Brandon Woodruff went eight innings for the win, giving up one run on five hits and striking out 10, and Devin Williams earned his 13th save with a scoreless ninth. Willy Adames went 1 for 3 with a home run and three RBIs in the win. Josh Donaldson was 1 for 4 with a solo home run for the Yankees.

ON THE MOUND

Cole (11-7, 3.30 ERA) is in line to start for New York. The right-hander leads MLB in strikeouts (228). Cole allowed four runs over six innings in his last start, a 7-6 home win over the Red Sox on Tuesday. He gave up four hits while striking out 10 and walking two in the no-decision. Lefty Jason Alexander (2-3, 5.03 ERA) will toe the rubber for Milwaukee. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Yankees. In his last start on September 9, Alexander took the loss at home against the Reds. He threw 5.1 innings and gave up five runs on nine hits, striking out four and walking one in the 8-2 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, New York has averaged 5.8 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 4.9. Against southpaws like Alexander this season, the Yanks have a .764 OPS. Aaron Judge is the team’s strongest performer against left-handers with a .998 OPS in 126 at-bats. Milwaukee is averaging 5.4 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 4.5 for the season. The Brew Crew have a .750 OPS against right-handers in 2022, fifth highest in the league. With a .376 OBP over 306 at-bats, Christian Yelich has their highest on-base percentage against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

New York is 37-36 away from Yankee Stadium in 2022, scoring 4.8 runs per game while allowing 3.8 runs. Milwaukee has won four in a row at their home park. The Brew Crew are 41-27 at home this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game while surrendering 3.9. In eight games at American Family Field between the teams, Milwaukee is 6-2 despite an average scoreline favoring New York (4.6-4.3).

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Yankees lead the AL East by four 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, one games out of a postseason position.