Yankees vs Giants Odds, Picks, Predictions | MLB Betting Preview
Thomas A. Ferrara/Newsday RM via Getty Images. Pictured: Gerrit Cole
- The New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants begin their 2023 campaigns on Thursday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.
- Ace pitcher Gerrit Cole will take the mound for the Bronx Bombers, while San Francisco counters with the underrated Logan Webb.
- Continue reading for a full breakdown of this matchup, including how to bet it.
Giants vs. Yankees Odds
| Giants Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
+144 | 7 -115 / -105 | +1.5 -152 |
| Yankees Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
-172 | 7 -115 / -105 | -1.5 +126 |
The day has finally come! Opening Day of the 2023 MLB season is here, and there is no better team to feature in one of the first matchups than the New York Yankees.
The Yankees will once again enter the season with lofty expectations after they failed to secure a 28th ring even after a historic season by Aaron Judge. However, with many familiar faces and some new ones bound to make an impact, optimism around this team is renewed.
As for their opposition, the San Francisco Giants enter the season looking to prove they belong in the wild NL West. Although they are going to have to prove themselves as they lack star power, but have plenty of talent.
So, what's the best way to play this matchup, as both teams aim to start on the right foot? Let's dive in to find out.
San Francisco Giants
The Giants' lineup is very intriguing. Of course, they hail in name recognition to the Bronx Bombers, but there are quite a few guys to keep your eyes on here.
It all starts with Joc Pederson. Pederson hit .274 with 23 homers from the leadoff spot for the Giants in 2022. His ability to make consistent hard contact makes him an immediate threat to Gerrit Cole, who's given up his fair share of early homers while in pinstripes.
Another guy to highlight is Michael Conforto. Once a staple in Queens, the Mets let Conforto walk after 2021, and he spent the entirety of 2022 on the shelf with a shoulder injury. His contract is not a prove-it deal, but he will have a chance to remind the masses that he's a real deal.
While there are a few other bats worth noting, they'll all need to contend with Cole. Entering his age-32 season, Cole's stuff is still among the best in baseball.
He finished the 2022 season among the top-10 percent of the majors in strikeout rate. Yet, for all the loud contact he surrendered, Cole still ranked in the top 25 percent in xBA.
Overall, the Giants' outlook for this matchup is bleak. Six guys in this Giants lineup had strikeout rates above 21 percent, and only three had above-average hard-hit rates.
Expect Cole to keep the bats quiet on Opening Day.
New York Yankees
The Bronx Bombers lived up to their nickname in 2022 as they led the majors in homers. Those 254 bombs stemmed from a ton of loud contact, as the Yankees were also top three in barrel rate, hard-hit rate, and average exit velocity.
They were spurred by the historic season of Judge, who broke the Yankees' single-season home run record on his way to winning the AL MVP. However, it will be hard for him to repeat history, and the regression from last year should start today.
The Yankees will be up against Logan Webb. The Giants sinkerballer is getting the Opening Day nod after finishing 2022 with a career-best 2.90 ERA.
Webb certainly profiles for success in this matchup, as his sinkerball will limit the Yankees' ability to hit the ball in the air and subsequently leave the yard.
His groundball rate of 56.7 percent is well above the league average and should counteract the team that's lineup that led the majors in home run to fly ball ratio last season.
Giants vs. Yankees Betting Pick
Yankee Stadium is about as hitter-friendly as it gets, and the power in both of these lineups could lead to runs being put up in a hurry. Although that will likely not be the case in this Opening Day matchup.
The Giants' lineup will struggle to make consistent contact against Cole, who had the strikeouts flowing this spring. Then on the other side, Webb should contain the powerful bats of the Yankees and keep them in the yard.
Both starters should succeed in this matchup, and runs will be at a premium. Take the under.
Pick: Under 7 or Better |
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