So how are these 2008 New York Yankees doing, you asked? Not bad really. After the seven game season opening home stand in the Bronx the Yankees went 4-3 taking the best of three from Toronto followed by a four game series split with Tampa. We don’t know what it is about the Devil Rays but they have always been hard on Yankees.
The next two weeks or so will give us a good measure of how things might go for New York in the early season. Starting today the Yankees take off on an eight game road trip that will take them through Kansas City for three games, up to arch rivals Boston Red Sox for three games, then down to Tampa Bay for a two game set. After returning home for two games with the Red Sox April 16-17, the Bronx Bombers head back out on the road for a 10 game trip through Baltimore, Chicago and Cleveland.
Tuesday, the Yankees’ RHP Phil Hughes (0-0, 3.00 ERA) will be looking for his first win of 2008 when he takes the mound against the Royals’ RHP Brian Bannister . (1-0, 0.00 ERA).
Last week Bannister blanked Detroit on the road in Comerica Park by giving up zero runs in seven innings pitched. Tuesday will be Bannister’s Royals 2008 home debut.
Hughes only gave up two runs in six innings pitched in his season debut against the Blue Jays but was not credited with a decision. Last year Hughes gave up six runs in 4 2/3 innings pitched against the Royals for his worst performance of the season.
Oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have installed the Yankees as -131 ML favorites with a nine run total. The run line is priced at +115 for the Yankees and -135 for the Royals.
Current betting trends show the public solid behind the Yankees with 73% betting with the Yankees on the ML and 88% on the run line.
