New York Yankees at Colorado Rockies odds, picks and predictions

The New York Yankees (49-42) begin the 2nd half with a visit to the Colorado Rockies (34-57) Friday. First pitch from Coors Field is at 8:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Yankees vs. Rockies odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: First meeting since 2019

The Yankees have dropped 4 of their last 5 games while scoring a total of just 14 runs. New York went into the All-Star break 8 games back of the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays.

Colorado limped into the break with 6 losses in its last 7 games and a 5-17 record in its last 22 games. The Rockies are in last place in the NL West, 18 games back of the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Yankees at Rockies projected starters

LHP Carlos Rodon vs. LHP Austin Gomber

Rodon (0-1, 3.38 ERA) makes his 2nd start. He has a 1.13 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9 and 3.4 K/9 through 5 1/3 IP.

• Threw just 69 pitches and only whiffed 2 batters in his season debut vs. the Chicago Cubs last Friday, but his velocity was right in line with the past 2 seasons and he should start to build up his workload
• Totaled 17 K with just 1 ER over 10 2/3 IP in 3 minor league rehab starts before coming off IL
• Was dominant down the stretch in 2022, recording double-digit strikeouts in 7 of his last 12 outings. His last start of the season was against Colorado, though in a better pitchers’ park in San Francisco, and he hurled 6 scoreless innings with 10 K

Gomber (7-7, 6.40 ERA) makes his 19th start. He has a 1.51 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9 and 6.1 K/9 through 90 IP.

• Has recorded an unsightly 7.84 ERA with 12 HR over 49 1/3 IP across 10 home starts
• Has pitched better lately, with a 3.99 ERA and a total of 3 BB issued in his last 5 starts

Yankees at Rockies odds

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8 a.m. ET.

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Yankees at Rockies picks and predictions

Prediction

Yankees 7, Rockies 4

The Yankees (-210) are 21-19 on the road this season and Rodon has the potential to be one of the top starters in the league the rest of the way. He isn’t fully stretched out though, and also wasn’t dominant in his first start, so this price looks just a little too steep.

PASS.

The Yankees have the clear pitching edge in this one and the Colorado offense ranks dead last with a 64 wRC+ on the season. Even in a tough environment and not quite up to full strength, Rodon should deliver a strong enough outing for his team to win by multiple runs.

Back the YANKEES -1.5 (-145).

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Each of these teams has been slumping offensively, as both rank bottom 5 in the league in runs scored and in wRC+ over the past month. While Rodon isn’t likely to work deep into the game in just his 2nd start of the season, he has the potential to completely shut down the Colorado bats while he’s in there.

A small play on UNDER 11.5 (-110) is the recommendation Friday, as these offenses in their current state can’t be counted on for a ton of offensive fireworks — even at Coors Field.

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