PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Mike Montgomery (4-3, 2.29 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Masahiro Tanaka (5-3, 3.63)
Montgomery is coming off his worst start of the season after giving up five runs in five innings against the Angels last Friday. He surrendered a pair of homers in the setback after serving up only two in his first seven outings. The 26-year-old made his season debut against the Yankees on June 2, allowing a run and four hits in six frames.
Tanaka is 3-2 with a 3.83 ERA in seven starts since coming off the disabled list early last month. He allowed one earned run in a season-high 7 2/3 innings of a 6-2 win against Oakland on July 9, striking out six. Tanaka fanned nine Mariners in seven dominant frames at Seattle on June 3 and is 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA in two career meetings.
The park factor at Yankee Stadium doesn’t play up to the strengths of a guy like Mike Montgomery. Masahiro Tanaka still has some of the best stuff of any pitcher in baseball, even with the elbow troubles. The Yankees are a big favorite here, but this price may be worth paying. The biggest concern about the Yankees is their age and the four days off have helped.
Play: NY Yankees -158
