A's-Yankees Series Analysis

[Caesar]

You have to like the A's chances in this series, despite the fact that it is the Yankees in the post-season. If the Yanks are to be beaten, then it must be done early. Here is why I like the A's:
1 - A's have played the Yankees well this season. The A's won the season series 6-3 after losing the first three in the Bronx in April; then won the last six. Here is a breakdown of the games.
Apr. 27
OAK 2 @ NYY 3
Tino Martinez's homer snaps tie while Knoblauch extends hitting streak to 10 games.
Apr. 28
OAK 6 @ NYY 7
Torre manages 500th win while Knoblauch hits two-run HR, drives in 3.
Apr. 29
OAK 1 @ NYY 3
Clemens outpitches Zito; Rocket moves into sixth on all-time K list.

May 15
NYY 2 @ OAK 3
Piatt's single wins in 9th; Hudson, Clemens pitch to draw.
May 16
NYY 3 @ OAK 4
A's win it in 10th; Menechino's homers, singles in winning run.
May 17
NYY 3 @ OAK 8
A's score four in 7th; Stanton roughed up as Yanks lose 4th straight.
Aug. 10
NYY 1 @ OAK 8
A's win 9th straight; Giambi, Dye smack 3-run homers.
Aug. 11
NYY 6 @ OAK 8
Giambi brothers drive home five; A's open up 6-1 lead after two innings.
Aug. 12
NYY 2 @ OAK 4
A's win 11th straight; Jason Giambi wins it with walkoff HR in 9th.
2 - The key to the series is pitching. I'll take Mulder, Zito and Hudson over Clemens, Pettitte and Mussina. I understand the experience factor, but feel the A's can jump on the Yankee starters early and roar through the series.
3 - Offensively the A's are hot and the Yankees despite Martinez and Williams are not. From top to bottom, the A's are much stronger here.

Play it-A's over the Yankees in 4 games.

 

[RAYMOND]

I AGREE 100%

 

[yyz]

I have been seriously thinking about the A's

Better pitching.

 

[Valuist]

I think the Yankees heavily-left handed hitting lineup will have problems against Mulder and Zito. The A's must get a decent amount of innings from their starters because their bullpen is subpar.

 

[redsfann]

I played the A's to win the series at +102, the Braves to win their series at EV, and the Indians to win theirs at +240.

In a short series, anything can happen, and if any of these get to the 5th game, I can hedge my series plays then or even earlier.

good luck out there today...

 

[MadJack]

i have to go with the yankees, the home field advantage, the experience and the cheap price. nyy -105 525/500

good luck!

 

[hoya]

Seems like almost everyone is on the A's as expected...excellent news for my Yankees.

Whats that I smell...<sniff>...it couldnt be 4 in a row, could it?

 

[yyz]

No hoya......it couldn't.

 

[phoenix566]

I was on the A's last year and still have a bad taste from them losing a series they should have one. This year I am sticking off series plays (cept maybe world if price is right) and gonna look for value in individual games. most seem to be caveating their bets with anything can happen in a short series. thats like wagering on the flip of a coin. would you put a normal unit wager on the flip of a coin (forgot who I was asking

)

if you put a gun to my head and said play, i'd go with Jack and his short but sweet synopsis. that way i can also root for my Yankies to make it an incredible 4 in a row....

 

[Strangefolk]

Gotta like the Yanks here. Just feel that between Clemens and Mussina the will get the job done. Yanks have a better bullpen. It's gonna be a great series. Pumped up to be sitting sixth row off the A's dugout for Game 1!!! Also gotta feel that the winner of this series takes it all> Cheers

 

[blained]

I think the pithcing for both sides is excellent and this series could go either way. The A's last year gave the yankee's there most trouble in any series and look for that to continue. Seattle may have had the best record but oakland is the hottest team by far coming into the playoffs. I would be surprised if the yanks see more than two home games this year. The A's are young and don't fear the yanks one bit no matter who is pitching.
It certainly is a tough call on who to bet, no clear advantage. My call is oakland in 4, going with the best team in baseball after the all star break. nobody cooled this team off and maybe nobody will.

[This message has been edited by blained (edited 10-10-2001).]

 

[Never Caught Up]

THe A's may have a shot at taking the series, but there is no way I'm putting money into play against The Rocket. He has made me a lot of money this year and I expect him to do the same today.

 

[Riviman]

I hate no team more then I hate the Yankees , but could never play Oakland in game today against Clemens only getting +115 , or in the series even. HAve to play the YAnkees in the series. Team has too much experience in these situations , and a great pen. I feel you pitch around Giambi and this team wont score. YAnkees -120 in the series is a gift..wheter it wins or loses, there is no value in playing Oakland.

 

[Caesar]

No Value in the A's was quite a stretch; no team has been hotter in the second half.
Up 1-0, the A's should feel pretty good going into tonight's game. The Yanks are experienced and will not just fold up and die. I like the Over tonight, so that's what I'll play

 

[Riviman]

It's just an opinion , but I see less value in Oak. tonight. They won at Yankee stadium last night, and they are +105,. I just can't see the YAnks falling 2 behind at home and to only get +105 for it to happen makes no sense to me. I am playing the yanks -120 and -1.5 runs +175.

 

[Caesar]

Tonight's the night; A's over Yanks in 4 games; You best get on this game tonight for easy money; I am tempted to hedge, but love the A's that much tonight.
Good Luck

 

[Riviman]

WHat to do?? Have the YAnks in the series, do I hedge with Oakland or go with my gut and get all over Clemens -120 and a little -1.5 +170. Thoughts?? Without Dye, they lose a big bat in a line-up that I figured could not score any runs in this series to begin with.

 

[Valuist]

Oakland is 1 for 33 w/runners in scoring position yet they are still tied at 2 and have arguably, the best pitcher in the American League not named Pedro going tonight. He definitely is the best since the All Star break and there's no way Clemens can be 100% due to hamstring problems.

 

[phoenix566]

MJ, congrats for having the bawls to go against the grain.....

Can the damn yanks make it 4 in a row.....