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• New York Yankees vs. Oakland Athletics
• Thursday, June 29 at 6:30 PM ET
• Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California
Right before the MLB All-Star break arrives, teams across the bigs are hoping to make a splash to close out the first part of the campaign. It goes without saying, but this also includes the New York Yankees, who haven’t quite posted the kind of season that fans have been hoping to see. However, they’ve got a great chance to post some big wins this week, as they’re traveling to California to face Oakland. With that, the Yankees are expected to take down the Athletics on Thursday.
This is going to be a series finale that will provide plenty of intrigue. There’s no question that the pressure is on the Yankees to get the job done in this one, as there will be no excuses going up against the AL West side. The Athletics are the worst team in baseball, as they’re 20-60 on the year. For Oakland to be 40 games under .500 is beyond disappointing, especially with the team on the verge of moving to Las Vegas.
| Yankees vs. A's odds |  |  |  |  |
| Yankees to win | -115 | -115 | -115 | -115 |
| A's to win | +125 | +125 | +125 | +125 |
| Over to hit | -110 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
| Under to hit | -110 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
The Yankees will be starting Clarke Schmidt in this one, while Oakland is yet to announce who will be taking the bump to take on New York’s mighty lineup. Schmidt has been inconsistent this year, posting a 2-6 record and a 4.32 ERA. That record is concerning, but the veteran right-handed pitcher will have a great chance of getting back on track when facing a lowly offense like Oakland’s.
According to the best-rated sportsbooks, which includes the reliable Bovada review, the Yankees hold -115 MLB betting odds to post a victory in this one. The Athletics have been set at +125, despite this game being played at the Oakland Coliseum. With the way the campaign has gone for Oakland, they’re going to be underdogs for virtually every contest they play in. With that said, we’re going with the Yankees as our pick here.
Vote once a day through Thursday, June 29th 👨⚖️
👉 https://t.co/1YN6DbP1g2 pic.twitter.com/j2M2mVIpTq
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) June 26, 2023
The Yankees will try and win without Aaron Judge available
Leading up to this contest, the Yankees will try and win without Aaron Judge available. The reigning AL MVP winner has missed plenty of action of late due to his serious toe injury. Not only that, but there’s major concern surrounding the slugger, as manager Aaron Boone recently announced that there’s no set timetable for when he’ll be able to get back on the field for this team. Judge also isn’t sure when he’ll be able to suit up again.
“I can’t make any promises,” Judge said about a potential return date via an interview with the New York Post. “I wish I had an answer. I just feel bad. You guys are looking for answers. That’s your job. You’re reporting. I’ve got no answers. I’m trying to figure stuff out and get through this thing.”
Without Judge in the lineup for this team, things have been a bit worrisome for the Yankees. They’re looking at the other offensive playmakers to step up, but Giancarlo Stanton has failed to do so in recent weeks. Stanton has also been recovering from an injury, but fans are ready to see him deliver. To make things worse for the Yankees, they parted ways with Aaron Hicks, and the veteran outfielder is balling out for the Orioles.
Plain and simple, this team needs Judge back as soon as possible in order for them to reach their full potential. Judge should be back after the All-Star break, while this team should be getting starting pitcher Carlos Rodon on the bump too. Once the Yankees are at full health, they can start to make some serious noise. For now, though, the NY supporters aren’t feeling optimistic that this team can boost its MLB betting odds late in the campaign.
Aaron Judge (toe) "can’t make any promises" on a timeline for his return but expects to be back this season, per @JonHeyman pic.twitter.com/ffxxI1ctWO
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 26, 2023
Yankees feel like locks to reach the AL postseason
Despite all the injuries, the Yankees feel like locks to reach the AL postseason. Right now, New York enters this series with the Athletics holding a 43-35 record. They may be in third place in the division standings behind the Rays and Orioles, but New York looks poised to grab a Wild Card spot. This isn’t what fans were hoping to see, as this will pair them against a tough opponent in the Wild Card Round.
However, as we mentioned above, if this team is at full health, then they’re definitely going to be a dangerous club to face this fall. The Yankees hold -200 odds to make the postseason. It would be a shock if that weren’t to happen, especially with Boone’s men hoping to really impress after the All-Star break.
If the Yankees – which we believe will happen – do make the postseason, then they will surely have their eyes on revenge against the Houston Astros. Houston and New York in the ALCS would be a dream come true for fans to see. The Yankees would love to take down the Astros. Only time will tell if that series happens or not, but it would be must-see TV.
