The New York Yankees are set to host the Pittsburgh Pirates in a three-game series, a critical stretch following the All-Star break. The team is navigating challenges, including the uncertain return of star player Aaron Judge and anemic offensive performance.
Pitching Matchups and Odds
For Tuesday's game, the Yankees slated Will Warren to start against the Pirates' Bubba Chandler. Oddsmakers at FanDuel Sportsbook have positioned the Yankees as moneyline favorites, with an Over/Under set at 9 runs for the game.
Warren's Recent Performance
Will Warren has experienced a difficult summer on the mound. After an initial strong performance through his first 12 starts with a 3.22 ERA, his ERA has climbed to 5.56 over his past seven outings. He has not secured a win since May 31. Warren has allowed at least five hits in five of his last seven starts, with some games seeing seven or eight hits allowed.
Pirates' Offensive Strength
The Pirates have demonstrated strong offensive capabilities throughout the season, ranking among the league leaders in hits, batting average, and RBIs. Their advanced metrics are also notable, with an xwOBA ranking sixth in the majors. Player Nick Gonzalez, batting .311 this season, has been identified as a particular threat, especially against breaking balls, which have been a weakness for Warren. Warren allows a .350 batting average and .600 slugging percentage on such pitches.
Given these factors, betting trends suggest a continued struggle for Warren against the Pirates' bats. The Yankees' offense has also been underperforming, putting additional pressure on their pitching to maintain narrow leads.