Despite their winning ways, the Yankees (83-62) can’t seem to chase down the AL East-leading Rays. As the regular season nears a close, New York needs to keep racking up W’s if it wants a shot at the division. That means securing the sweep at home this evening against the last place Rockies (55-90). Can the Pinstripes get it done on Thursday night?
The Yankees are favorites (-301) over the Rockies; the over/under is set at 8.5 runs. Below, I’ve laid out my preview, prediction, and best bet for Thursday’s interleague showdown between Colorado and New York on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Rockies vs. Yankees pick, best bet today
- Yankees -1.5 (-134): Feltner has been a below-average arm all season. In comparison, Fried comes into this one on a hot streak. New York, beginning to show signs of life at the plate, should power its way to a big win tonight.
Rockies vs. Yankees prediction, preview
Colorado hands the ball to Ryan Feltner, making his 22nd start of the season. Over 106.2 innings of work, he’s recorded a 5.91 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 81 strikeouts (6.8 K/9). As is the case with all Rockies starters, the right-hander’s numbers come with a caveat. Playing half your games at Coors Field, a hitter’s haven, makes things difficult. Regardless, it’s not as if Feltner has been very impressive on the road either (5.36 ERA). The sixth-year pro’s most troubling statistic might be a 1.6 HR/9 ratio. He’s allowed at least four earned runs in three of his previous four outings as well.
Giving up the long ball can complicate matters against most teams. That’s especially true against Colorado’s opponents tonight. The Yankees have clobbered an American League-best 197 home runs, all while ranking second in the Junior Circuit in slugging percentage (.408). That’s without factoring in the presence of Aaron Judge, who made his much-anticipated return from the injured list on Tuesday. The two-time MVP looked like his old self last night, notching two hits during New York’s 6-1 victory. The Bronx Bombers, for all their offensive struggles, are averaging the league’s ninth-most runs per game at home (4.79).
The Pinstripes will send Max Fried to the mound. When healthy, the southpaw ranks among the best pitchers on Earth. Through 17 starts, he’s put up a 2.73 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 87 strikeouts (8.2 K/9). The veteran has been on a roll over the past few weeks, posting a minuscule 1.38 ERA over his last five outings. He’s allowed just two home runs during that stretch. The three-time All-Star doesn’t generate a ton of swing and misses. However, he makes up for it with an elite 99th percentile ground ball rate (1.6%) and 96th percentile hard-hit rate (29.6%).
Tacking on runs won’t be easy for the visitors this evening. Colorado is averaging 4.34 runs per game on the road, 11th-fewest in the big leagues. Fried’s knack for limiting the long ball could frustrate Hunter Goodman in particular. The All-Star catcher has slugged 37 homers this season, fifth-most in baseball. The Rockies have only scored 42 runs over their previous ten contests, 11th-fewest in the league during that stretch.
It’s not the most interesting bet, but the Yankees are superior in every facet of the game tonight. New York’s knack for slugging homers should play against a mediocre fly ball pitcher such as Feltner. On the other side, Fried’s ability to induce weak contact should keep Colorado’s hitters in check. Back the Bombers in what should be a comfortable win on Thursday.
More MLB Content & Betting Picks
- Texas Rangers vs. Seattle Mariners prediction, pick for Thursday 9/10/26
- MLB Best Bets: Top home run props for Thursday 9/9/26
Tail all of today’s MLB action in the DKN Betting Group here.
