Tanner Gordon vs Clarke Schmidt
The Yankees are rolling. Winners of eight of their last ten, and fresh off a sweep of the Rangers, New York heads west with momentum and odds in their favour, a firm grip on the AL East, and a chance to keep building against a team going in the opposite direction. What are your predictions?
The Colorado Rockies, meanwhile, are in the midst of a nightmarish season. At 8-42, they own the worst record in baseball by a mile and are currently on pace for one of the lowest win totals in MLB history. On Friday, the Rockies will host a three-game set at Coors Field, though the Yankees could be vulnerable early after a quick turnaround following Thursday’s matinee in the Bronx.
Clarke Schmidt will get the ball for New York in the opener. While the Yankees’ rotation has been among the best in baseball after a topsy-turvy and unreliable start, Clarke Schmidt has struggled to find rhythm since his return from the IL and enters with something to prove. Colorado will counter with right-hander Tanner Gordon, who is making just his second major league appearance. Gordon allowed seven runs (four earned) over 6.1 innings in his May 8 debut and steps in for Chase Dollander, who was recently sidelined with forearm tightness.
ALSO READ: 974 Days Later, the Yankees Finally Walk It Off With a Home Run
Notably, Coors Field is the only active MLB ballpark Aaron Judge has yet to play in during his big league career.
According to BetMGM, the Yankees are obvious favorites at Coors Field.
| Team | Spread | Total (8.5) | Money Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yankees | -2.5 (-170) | Over 12.5 (-102) | -325 |
| Rockies | +2.5 (+140) | Under 12.5 (-118) | +270 |
The Yankees are heavy favorites with a -2.5 spread, suggesting oddsmakers expect them to win by at least three runs. The total is set at a high 12.5, which aligns with Coors Field’s reputation for high-scoring games and the Rockies’ weak pitching staff. The Over being nearly even at -102 indicates bookmakers see a realistic path to a slugfest, likely driven by the Yankees’ presently red-hot lineup. It may just be a very lopsided battle at Coors Field.
Score prediction: Yankees 9, Rockies 4
Total prediction: Over 12.5
Rockies: ~24%
Yankees: ~76%
mlb 
