After the first two games of the season, it was assumed that the New York Yankees would be off to the races, ready to become the top team in the league. Major League Baseball betting experts were already plunking down huge sums and assuming that the Bronx Bombers were World Series bound. Not so fast.
MLB Week 1 New York Yankees
The next two games could not have gone any worse for the Yanks, as Saturday’s game saw Jays outfielder Kevin Pillar steal three bases in one inning, including an uncontested steal of home, all off Dellin Betances. It was widely thought that this would be a breakout season for the hard-throwing reliever. Instead, Pillar and the Jays may have created the blueprint to rattling and beating the tall righthander.
Then on Sunday, Yankees pitchers gave up six runs in the seventh and eighth innings, blowing another lead. Throw in some injuries already to key players like Aaron Hicks and Billy McKinney, and you have the makings of a tough April.
Meanwhile, the arch rival Boston won three out of their four games in Tampa Bay, and could easily have swept the Rays had they not blown a late game lead.
The key to turning it all around? A rebound from Betances in the bullpen and table-setter Brett Gardner to hit more than .118.
Currently, Yankees odds to win the World Series are still at 6 to 1, which ranks them near the top of the board. For what it’s worth, the Red Sox are 10 to 1 in MLB World Series futures.