The Cincinnati Reds (19-18) and New York Yankees (20-18) will open up a three-game interleague series on Friday night at Yankee Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 ET
Cincinnati Reds at New York Yankees
Cincinnati continues a seven-game road trip, and has alternated wins and losses over its last four games, as it comes off a 9-4 defeat to the New York Mets on Thursday afternoon. The Reds were up 4-0 through 4.5 innings, but managed to go just 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and committed two errors. The club is 5-4 all-time against the Yankees in three interleague series, winning two of three at old Yankee Stadium in 2008. Cincinnati is 6-13 at night and the “under” is 10-8 in that situation.
Reds starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo (2-1, 3.25 ERA) has led the club to victories in four of his last five starts, but earned a no decision in a 9-6 home win over the Washington Nationals last time out. He allowed a season-high 11 hits, while giving up four runs in that effort. The right-hander is 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA in three road starts, issuing just two walks and striking out 18 in 22 innings. In eight career games (six starts) versus the Yankees, Arroyo has yet to record a decision, allowing 27 runs (24 earned) and 48 hits over 39.2 frames (5.45 ERA).
New York dropped the final three games of its brief four-game road trip, but facing National League opponents may help to turn things around. The Yankees are a major league-best 157-107 in interleague play, which includes a 13-5 mark a year ago. Shortstop Derek Jeter has been at the center of that success, leading all players with 326 interleague hits. Third baseman Alex Rodriguez will also play a major role in this series, coming in as the all-time leader with 186 RBI in this setting. New York is 3-3 as a home favorite of -125 to -150 this year.
Yankees starting pitcher Andy Pettitte (0-1, 5.68 ERA) will make his second start of the season since returning from a brief one-year retirement, as he was handed a 6-2 home loss by the Seattle Mariners. He allowed four runs and seven hits over 6.1 innings of work. The left-hander will be making his 50th career interleague start, coming in with an 18-16 record and 4.30 ERA, which is the second-most wins among current starters on the staff. In 10 career starts against the Reds, Pettitte has tallied a 4-3 record and 3.64 ERA, including a 3-1 mark and 4.13 ERA in four outings at home.
Bettors will likely back the Reds due to their 8-3 record in Arroyo’s last 11 starts as a road underdog, while the Yankees are 1-4 in their last five games as a favorite.
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