BET365 Betting Odds
The Oakland A’s were already expected to use their bullpen as much as possible considering the lack of success their starters have had at Yankee Stadium, but according to manager Aaron Boone, New York won’t rule out a bullpen game either.
“I think that’s absolutely a consideration,”
“I could see them pitching well and not necessarily going deep in the game because of course, we do have those guys (in the bullpen). They’ll be rested. They’ll be lined up to go.”
Between Aroldis Chapman, Dellin Betances, Zack Britton, and David Robertson, the Yankees have four relievers (essential closers) capable of shutting down any opponent. Add Sonny Gray and you see why Boone is willing to entertain the option of pulling out his starting pitcher after a couple of innings.
Yankees and Athletics have two of the best bullpens in baseball
While for him using the bullpen early is optional, for A’s manager Bob Melvin, it is practically mandatory. The team’s two best starters Mike Fiers and Edwin Jackson have a terrible track record at Yankee Stadium. Fiers has a 7.59 ERA in two starts, including surrendering four home runs in just 10 2/3 innings, while Jackson has a 6.75 ERA and has allowed four homers in 13 1/3 innings.
BET365 Betting Odds
“We’ll sit down with Bob (Melvin) and Scott Emerson, our pitching coach, and just kind of start laying out the possibilities,”
“It will depend on their lineup a little bit. If we’re definitely playing at Yankee Stadium, it will depend on how some guys have performed there. There are a lot of factors that go into it. We probably will take as much time as we can over the next week to make those decisions.” – A’s GM David Forst
Chances are the game will be played in New York. For Oakland to obtain home field advantage, they must remain undefeated until the end and hope the Yankees win no more than one of their five games left.
Oakland’s bullpen is the team’s strength. It has been all year. Blake Treinen has been the most efficient reliever in baseball with a 0.79 ERA and 0.83 WHIP, something Forst realizes.
“The year that Blake (Treinen) has had makes him probably the most important guy on that pitching staff. … We will start our planning with him and then similarly (Jeurys) Familia, (Fernando) Rodney, and (Lou) Trivino have been so good. We’ll probably figure it out that way.”
BET365 Betting Odds
Athletics’ pen ranks second in MLB with a 3.33 ERA and New York’s is tied for third at 3.34, so it’s not surprising to hear both clubs contemplating using them early and often.
