Yankees vs. Athletics Prediction and Odds for Friday, August 26 (How to Bet New York)

The Yankees are starting to find their groove again.

After taking both games from the New York Mets earlier this week, the Yankees head out west to face a handful of non contending teams like their opponent Friday, the Oakland Athletics. New York has Giancarlo Stanton back, and Aaron Judge is hitting homers again, will they get back to their winning ways?

Let's check out the odds and find the best bet:

Yankees vs. Athletics Odds, Run Line and Total

Yankees vs. Athletics Prediction and Pick

Stanton's return to the lineup is a massive boost for the Yankees, who looked hapless over the last few weeks without their slugger. New York was too shallow around Aaron Judge as pitchers were more comfortable pitching around the likely AL MVP.

With Stanton back, there's going to be more balls in the strike zone for Judge and the New York lineup should look more dangerous again. Thursday night, in his first game back, Stanton had three runs batted in and Judge also had an RBI to his name. The Yanks throttled Oakland in that one, 13-4.

With Gerrit Cole on the mound, and the lineup looking more wholesome, it's tough not to like the Yankees in a blowout. Even though former Yankees left hander JP Sears draws the start for Oakland, who has been strong in his three starts for the A's with a 1.76 ERA, I'm not expecting it to keep up. Sears has a FIP of 3.71 and is facing arguably the best lineup in the American League.

Even if Sears pitches well, Cole should have the stuff to roll through Oakland's lineup that is among the worst in baseball. The team is 28th in wRC+ this season and I expect New York to flex their muscles.