The San Diego Padres (24-28) will have their work cut out for them against Gerrit Cole at Yankee Stadium on Sunday when the impressive right-hander takes the mound for the New York Yankees (31-23) with the three-game Interleague series all square at 1-1.
The Yankees leveled the series 1-1 after winning 3-2 in 10 innings on Saturday. Reliever Clay Holmes was credited with the win after throwing one scoreless inning.
DJ LeMahieu went 2 for 3 with a home run and a double in the win. He drove in two runs. Fernando Tatis Jr. was 1 for 5 with a solo home run for the Padres.
ON THE MOUND
Yu Darvish (3-3, 3.67 ERA) is slated to get the start for San Diego. The RHP allowed three runs over six innings in his last start, a 7-4 home win over the Nationals on Tuesday. He earned the win, giving up six hits while striking out four and walking one.
For New York, right-hander Cole (5-0, 2.53 ERA) will take the mound. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Padres. In his last start on Tuesday, Cole took a no-decision at home against the Orioles. He threw five innings and gave up five runs on six hits, striking out two and walking three in the 6-5 win.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, San Diego has averaged 5.0 runs a game, up from their season average of 4.0, due in part to improved slugging (.438 vs .388).
Against righties like Cole this season, the Padres have a .681 OPS. Juan Soto is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a 1.078 OPS in 118 at-bats.
New York is averaging only 3.4 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.5 for the season, with their slash line dropping across the board (.213/.279/.366).
The Yanks have a .719 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a 1.116 OPS over 122 at-bats, Aaron Judge has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
San Diego is 12-13 away from Petco Park in 2023, scoring 3.9 runs per game while allowing 4.1 runs. New York has gone 18-13 at their home park this season, averaging 4.5 runs per game while surrendering 4.0. New York is 3-2 in five games at Yankee Stadium between the teams with an average scoreline of 4.0-2.8.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Padres are fourth in the NL West, six games behind the division-leading Dodgers. The Yankees are third in the AL East, eight games behind the Rays.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
NY Yankees (-145)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
