Arizona and New York continue their three-game series from downtown Phoenix on Wednesday afternoon. Now, it may seem a little early for interleague baseball but not according to Major League Baseball. Arizona got hot and advanced all the way to the World Series last season. Meanwhile, the Yankees keep trying to get back to the World Series themselves. Yankees vs Diamondbacks bets are primed for action.
Let us take a deeper dive with the two teams and maybe a little history into our picks for this Wednesday matinee.
Yankees vs Diamondbacks bets and stacked divisions are a theme. New York started off the season with five straight wins including a win in the Desert Southwest. Arizona started well with two straight wins and is 3-2 so far in 2024. Arizona features their “Ace” of the staff in Merrill Kelly on Wednesday afternoon against Carlos Rodon.
Please keep in mind that baseball, betting, and April can be tricky and challenging. Typically, pitchers are on pitch counts and hitters seem to be mostly ahead of pitchers. Does a team like the Diamondbacks get another great start from Kelly against a potent Yankees lineup? MLB Vegas Online Betting Odds fire out some numbers and a few potential wagers.
Arizona tends to not be afraid of teams like this. Remember, the Diamondbacks were not supposed to even make the postseason last year. They had less than a 10% chance to make the postseason. This season, they came in at 9.1% given the Los Angeles superteam, San Francisco, and even San Diego. So, at VegasBetting, we naturally noticed that the Yankees are firing on all cylinders early. The Yankees’ odds are only 9.9%.
Anyway, the BetOnline online Sportsbook review throw in a few audibles and some things to keep in mind for Wednesday afternoon’s game. The best part is the potential for a getaway day break of sorts. First, there is that historical context to consider.
So, the Yankees vs Diamondbacks bets like a slight underdog for Wednesday. Now, the Yankees have not won an American League pennant since 2009. New York went on to win the World Series. Since then, it has been almost 15 years of failed expectations and last year’s near .500 disaster. The Yankees finished 19 games out of first place and yet Aaron Boone was given one more chance.
Now, New York figured to run at least second fiddle to the Baltimore Orioles who won the division in 2023. Even Tampa Bay is not far off from their 99-win form. Then, there is Toronto who could still prove formidable. Again, that does make this early start important for the Yankees. A cushion could pave the way for a potential postseason appearance.
At -102, Arizona is almost at an Even moneyline position which will sway some bettors. Again, neither team has seen major injuries. Furthermore, the Diamondbacks may have a little bit of an added advantage. Merrill Kelly was quite good at home last season. Even better, Kelly tossed 6+ innings and eight strikeouts in his opening start. He is a true late bloomer but Kelly is 25-16 over the past two seasons.
Meanwhile, Carlos Rodon was a bit wild in his opening foray into 2024. Consider that his end to 2023 was not good either (6.85 ERA, 3-8 with New York). He still does not look quite like what most saw in 2021 and 2022. Rodon had a sub 3.00 ERA both seasons and finished top six in the Cy Young voting. Take a shot at Arizona here.
Okay, what about the runs? Some worry about games like this. Those concerns can come to pass. When it comes to the Yankees vs Diamondbacks bets, the Yankees may be thinking about that Friday home opener already. They get a day off after being on the road in Houston and Phoenix. Yankee Stadium and the Bronx faithful are very enticing. It would be understanding to see them distracted.
Focusing on Wednesday is important. It remains smart to bet modestly to start. Bluntly, the wildness of Rodon is still obvious. Sure, he allowed only one run in 4+ innings against Houston but the Astros could have easily scored four or five runs. There grows this sense that Arizona could score some runs early. No one is expecting a 14-run inning but the Over is only 8.5 for Wednesday afternoon.
Early props for batters and pitchers again do not carry quite the same allure yet. Again, the plan is to think sensibly. From the NRFI (No Run First Inning) to the Under and Overs for five innings, there is enough for most bettors. Do not go too crazy here. A Kelly win will likely be plus money even in a scenario like this. Do not be surprised about that.
Among these two teams, matchup predictors like some runs to be scored. The feeling is both starters will give up some runs. However, the bullpens may get a little tired as the combined run count could hit double digits on Wednesday afternoon.
MLB Online Betting Sites keep rolling out those numbers. Go take a look at several sportsbooks for this exciting Wednesday slate which features a solid afternoon schedule too.
Summary
Chris Wassel is a skilled scribe who possesses a fervor for both sports and entertainment. Boasting a journalism background and over two decades of experience, he has crafted pieces that encompass a diverse array of sports including hockey, basketball, football, and others. His writing is characterized by its lucidity and sharpness, and provides a unique viewpoint on entertainment and political matters. While Chris primarily focuses on sports writing, he also writes about a wide range of subjects.
Education
1999 Graduate of Union County College
1993 Graduate of Rahway High School
Professional Achievements
Media credentialed member of the New Jersey Devils since 2010
Covered several NHL Drafts including the one day event in Newark in 2013
Been on countless podcasts, TV shows, and more including Sportsnet and even NHL Network