Yankees vs. Athletics: Game 2 predictions, odds and picks — Sept 21, MLB 2024

On Saturday, the Yankees and A's will meet for their penultimate duel of the 2024 MLB season. Despite the large difference in the two club's records, Oakland and New York have been fairly equal matches for one another this season.

After splitting a four-game series in the Bronx back in April, the Yankees took the series opener of the three-game set in Oakland on Friday. The game was tied 1-1 until Juan Soto doubled in the winning RBI in the tenth inning, New York went on to win 4-2.

"Juan Soto comes off the bench and INSTANTLY makes his mark!" - MLB

Yankees vs Athletics: Recent form and records

On account of their 67-87 record, the Oakland Athletics will not be making the postseason. Now 17 games behind the Houston Astros in their division, the A's are fourteen games out of the third and final AL Wild Card berth. 5-5 in their last ten games, the A's are coming off of a surprising series win over the Chicago Cubs.

The Yankees' 90-64 record is the best in the American League. 7-3 over their last ten games, New York took two out of three games against the Seattle Mariners, and now touts a five-game lead over the Orioles in the AL East.

Players to Watch

Starting Pitchers

NYY: Carlos Rodon (15-9, 4.12 ERA) vs OAK: (JP Sears, 11-11, 4.24 ERA)

Rodon has a 1.222 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 186 K in 163.2 IP.

Last Start: W, 5 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K vs

Career vs OAK: 4-1 2.68 ERA (43.2 IP, 13 ER) 3 HR in seven games

Sears has a 1.196 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 127 K in 169.2 IP.

Last Start: Loss, 6 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 K vs NYM

Career vs NYY: 0-3 5.48 ERA (21.1 IP, 13 ER) 5 HR in four games

Must-Watch Hitters

New York

As a native of nearby Linden, California, Aaron Judge may have some family and friends in attendance. Currently the MLB leader in home runs, Judge has had a very successful western road trip and has hit .263/.440/.526 with a home run and six RBIs in his past five games.

"Aaron Judge is the 3rd player in history to hit 53 home runs and steal 10 bases in a single MLB season (Babe Ruth and Ken Griffey Jr. are the others)." - Codify

Gleyber Torres continues to make an impact for the Yankees. Over the past two weeks, the Venezuelan leads his club's roster in hits with 17, and is 17 for his last 63.

He may have hit just .205 over the past two weeks, Yankees fans should be glad that Juan Soto is playing on Saturday. In eight career games against the A's, Soto has hit an even .333 with 3 home runs and 11 RBIs.

Oakland

Left fielder Brent Rooker has led the way for the A's of late. Having walked away from Oakland's three-game series against the Chicago White Sox last weekend with a home run and five RBIs, Rooker boasts a .860 OPS and .306 batting average over the past two weeks.

"Brent Rooker deserves respect as one of the best hitters in all of baseball right now" - Talkin' Baseball

JJ Bleday, who drove in a run on Friday, has logged five doubles over his past 12 games. Moreover, Bleday owns a commendable .286 career batting average against the Yankees.

Yankees vs Athletics baseball betting odds

Saturday 21/11	Money Line	Run Spread	Total Runs
New York Yankees	- 185	- 1.5 +100	O 8 +100
Oakland Athletics	+ 150	+ 1.5 -120	U 8 - 120

Yankees vs Athletics expert picks and game prediction

The Athletics may have avoided the shame of a disastrous last season in existence, but they have not been good. Despite stealing a few series' of late, the team still ranks in the bottom third of MLB in almost every important offensive and defensive category.

The Yankees, meanwhile, know how close they are to beating out the Baltimore Orioles to capture the AL East title and own the lowest ERA in MLB over the past two weeks.

Run Line: +1.5 -120

Total Runs: U 8 -120

Prediction: Yankees W, 5-0