The weather will certainly improve when the Yankees and Angels head out west for Game 3 of the ALCS on Monday afternoon. In Los Angeles' case, hopefully the Halos' luck changes as well, trying to dig themselves out of a 2-0 hole.
The Yankees received a tremendous pitching performance from CC Sabathia in the series opener, as New York won 4-1. Sabathia scattered four hits and one earned run in eight innings of work. The Bombers did one better on Saturday night, by edging the Angels 4-3 in 13 innings to take a 2-0 series lead. The Yanks were saved by Alex Rodriguez's game-tying homer in the 11th inning, then scored the game-winning run on an error in the 13th.
The first two games finished 'under' the total thanks to the chilly and even sometimes rainy conditions in the Bronx. Now, the sun will shine in Anaheim for an early start out west. Mike Scioscia saved Jered Weaver (17-8, 3.55 ERA) for this situation, as the young righty is 10-3 at home this season. The Angels have won 13 of Weaver's 18 home starts this season, including a 14-8 victory over the Yankees back in July.
To take it a step further, Weaver's day numbers are spectacular, as the Halos are 6-1 in his starts under the sun. The Angels have outscored the opposition in Weaver's day starts by 4 ½ runs a game (7.8 to 3.2).
Andy Pettitte (15-8, 4.07 ERA) has fared well away from the Bronx this season, putting up a 9-4 road mark (12-5 team record). However, the Yanks lost both of Pettitte's starts in Anaheim this season. The first defeat came against Weaver in July, allowing six earned runs and seven hits in 4.1 innings of work. The second loss happened in September, but Pettitte's numbers significantly improved from the last start (6 IP, 5 hits, 3 ER), however, the Yanks fell 5-2.
Pettitte's last start came in the ALDS, as the Yankees beat the Twins, 4-1. The veteran southpaw struck out seven, while allowing just three hits and one run in six innings of work. Since 2001, Pettitte has made 14 postseason starts with the Yankees and Astros, as those teams are 5-9 in the lefty's outings.
The 'under' has hit in six of Weaver's last seven starts, while the Yankees have drilled the 'under' in eight of their last ten games against right-handed starting pitchers. Meanwhile, Pettitte has been a strong 'under' play on the road, as the Yankees have cashed in 11 of his 16 away starts.
The Angels are listed as a $1.25 home favorite in most shops, with the total set at 9 (Bet $1.20 to win $1.00 on the 'under'). If you want to take a shot at the Angels to come back and win this series, the updated series price is +600. On the flip side, you can get the Yankees at -900 to win the series from here on out.
You can reach Kevin Rogers via e-mail at rogers@vegasinsider.com
