MLB odds update: Yankees gaining momentum in World Series market

The New York Yankees have refused to go quietly in the battle for October. Baseball’s most decorated franchise has won eight of its last nine games since acquiring Anthony Rizzo and Joey Gallo at the trade deadline, and have seen its World Series odds drop from +2500 to +1900.

Are bettors wise to back the Bronx Bombers here, or are there alternatives that should be sought out? Let’s investigate.

Rizzo, Gallo fitting right in

The Yankees have been starved for left-handed impact bats all season, and Rizzo and Gallo have finally delivered at the dish.

Rizzo is 9-for-32 (.281) to begin his career in pinstripes with three homers and six RBI. Many of the former Chicago Cub’s hits came in clutch situations as well.

Gallo has been a bit slower to begin, but the three-run homer he hit against the Seattle Mariners on Thursday demonstrated exactly what he can provide to New York’s lineup.

Pitching staff weathering the storm

It’s been anything but smooth sailing for the Yankees pitching staff in 2021, but the key cogs have been persevering.

Gerrit Cole is on pace to make over 30 starts for New York this year, and 14 of his first 21 outings have been of the quality kind. Jameson Taillon battled through a sluggish start to the season, going on to earn AL Pitcher of the Month honors for July with a 1.16 ERA. Jordan Montgomery has been a serviceable starter, as he recorded a 2.93 ERA last month, and began August with five innings of one-run ball against the Miami Marlins.

Meanwhile, Aroldis Chapman seems to have worked past what was ailing him in late June/early July, his recent trip to the IL notwithstanding. He’s converted seven straight saves for the Bombers, and has allowed only one earned run in his last 11 appearances.

Rays, Red Sox will have a say in Yanks’ postseason chances

Despite the Yankees’ recent winning streak, they’re still behind by a noticeable 5 1/2 games in the AL East. The defending AL champion Tampa Bay Rays currently enjoy the division lead, with the Boston Red Sox in close pursuit. New York also has the Toronto Blue Jays breathing down their necks just a game and a half further back.

If the Yankees want to make noise in the postseason, they’ll have to play better against the Red Sox, whom they’re 3-10 against this year. Their 7-8 record against the Rays doesn’t inspire confidence either. Perhaps even more troubling are Cole’s splits against these rivals; he’s 1-2 with a 5.06 ERA against the former, and 1-3 with a 5.11 ERA against the latter.

Between Boston and Tampa, the Rays look like the better World Series bet at present at +1200. The Red Sox (+1100) have lost eight of their last 11 tilts, including a recent series sweep against Tampa.