MLB Preview: Morton to out curve Yankees line-up
Coming off the back of two odds against picks coming in (Red Sox on the Moneyline and over 8.5runs in the White Sox/Red Sox game) - our editor is back with a Moneyline pick for the Braves trip to the Yankees today...
Just how disappointing have the Yankees been so far this season? Well I suppose like most things - it truly depends on your perspective. If you aren’t a fan then you are just tittering to yourself as the Bronx Bombers continue to slide. If you are a fan then you are starting to tear your hair out in frustration. This is as good a team on paper as any in the American League, yet they are 5-10 and that might be generous.
On Tuesday evening the Atlanta Braves roll into town also with a losing record. Charlie Morton gets the nod for the visitors and he’s 1-1 with a 4.76 ERA. His record is tainted by a bad inning against the Marlins last time out but his curve has looked pretty darn good. He knows the Yankees well having played for the Rays and it would be a good time to expect a bounce back performance from the 37 year-old.
As for the home team - they’ve settled on Jameson Tallion with the right-hander knowing he needs to improve on his five earned in three and two thirds display against the Blue Jays. He is still building up arm strength following Tommy John in 2019 but it is hard to trust him to deliver until you see it on a regular basis. He did look sharp...ish in his Yankees debut when he struck out seven in four and two-thirds work but I just don’t know.
Both teams have superstar outfielders but the Braves’ might be without Ronald Acuna Jr. who is listed as day-to-day with a mild abdominal strain. This could be key as he;’s coming off the back of being named NL Player of the Week. An Acuna-less line-up is certainly less troubling for opposing teams. This news nearly swayed my pick in this one but I’m sticking with the Braves.
The Picks:
Moneyline - The visiting Braves’ are a small underdog with BetAmerica (+105) and I’m sticking with that. I like the Charlie Morton v Yankees match-up as I think that curve if it is humming will seriously cause the right-handed hitters issues. My faith in Tallion is not secure so I can see the Atlanta offense knocking him around for three or four runs in five innings and that could well be enough.
