This is a 10* on the YANKEES

The Yankees could really use a win here as they are stuck in fourth place in the AL East and only a game over .500. They split a doubleheader with the Mets on Sunday, but have dropped seven of nine overall. Seattle keeps defying the odds with a better than .500 record as they’ve given up a lot more runs than they have scored this season. They have a better record than the Yankees, but the oddsmakers are not fooled by that and neither are we. A big problem for the Yankees recently has been the bullpen, specifically Aroldis Chapman. But we like the matchup of Jameson Taillon going against a Seattle lineup that hits only .207 at home. Taillon has won his last two starts, both in blowout fashion. There was an 8-1 win over Kansas City and 11-3 win over the Angels. Taillon has been much better when pitching outside the division (as those last two starts show). Justus Sheffield has not had a good year for the Mariners and things appear to be getting worse as his ERA and WHIP are now 5.75 and 1.70. He’s made one career start vs. the Yankees and it did not go well. He allowed five runs in 4.3 innings. The Yankees are 21-5 their last 26 games in Seattle. Play on NY YANKEES

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