Dodgers vs. Yankees Game 5
The Yankees decided not to go down without a fight, so we’ve got Game 5 in the Bronx. The Dodgers will take another crack at ending the series after bolting out to a 3-0 lead. Injuries from the regular season and distrust in Landon Knack and Michael Grove forced them into a bullpen game in Game 4 and it didn’t work, as the Yankees exploded for 11 runs.
Not only did the Dodgers lose the game, but the Yankees finally got some big hits to take the pressure off of multiple guys in the lineup. Will that be enough for a return trip to LA?
Top MLB Resources:
Los Angeles Dodgers at New York Yankees (-148, 8.5)
8:08 p.m. ET
The Dodgers are back to a conventional starter in this one, as Jack Flaherty takes the mound in a rematch of Game 1 against Gerrit Cole. Both guys were excellent in last Friday’s contest, as it was a 0-0 game through four before the Dodgers scored in the bottom of the fifth. The Yankees got a Giancarlo Stanton HR in the sixth that ended Flaherty’s night, but LA had the last laugh on Freddie Freeman’s walk-off grand slam in the 10th.
Cole went 6+ strong innings, as he gave up a leadoff single in the seventh and got pulled at 88 pitches. Many felt like Cole was pulled a little early, as he was cruising and looked about as sharp as he has in the postseason. I liked Aaron Boone’s decision, as Cole allowed three of his five hardest-hit balls in the sixth. It was clear that he was tiring. He allowed two batted balls of 103.7 mph or higher in that inning and another at 98.6 mph. That was the big play by Jazz Chisholm at third to keep it a 2-1 game.
Flaherty had 19 swings and misses in Game 1 and also allowed his two hardest-hit balls in the sixth, including the Stanton moonshot at 116.6 mph. I could envision a scenario where both of these guys are really good early and then start to tire late, as they’ve thrown a lot of innings this season and the pressure mounts the later you get in the game.
But, there are two questions here. The first is Flaherty’s velocity. When he started Game 5 against the Mets, his velo was down 2 mph on his fastball. I don’t know if that was the cooler weather or if something else was at play. It’ll actually be close to 70 at first pitch tonight.
Second, did the Yankees offense get its second wind with last night’s outcome? The bottom of the order had a big game with seven RBI, including the Volpe grand slam. Austin Wells homered. Alex Verdugo drove in a couple runs. Freeman had another nice game for the Dodgers, but he’s not getting a whole lot of help.
I’d say this is my least favorite betting game of the series thus far. My lean is that the Yankees win, but I’m not eager to lay -140 or higher like what’s out there. The 1st 5 Yankees price is inflated up to -160 at DK, hence the run line price. But, the only thing I like from a side standpoint in this game is Yankees 1st 5 run line -0.5 (-110). I think Cole will be great tonight and I don’t know if Flaherty will be.
Most of the pitcher props are heavily juiced to the Under, which I understand, especially the strikeout props. I did play Cole Over 4.5 Hits Allowed in Game 1 and he allowed four while pitching into the seventh. It’s -125 to the Over tonight, so I’m not jumping at that one. However, I will take a shot at Flaherty Over 4.5 Hits Allowed at -105. He had 19 whiffs in Game 1 and still gave up five hits. He gave up eight in his road start at Citi Field and has allowed 5+ in three of his four playoff starts with just 14 strikeouts in 20.2 playoff innings.
Picks: Yankees 1st 5 Run Line -0.5 (-110); Jack Flaherty Over 4.5 Hits Allowed (-105)
