Yankees vs. Guardians Game 1 Prediction and Odds July 2 (High-Scoring Game In Store)

The 56-21 New York Yankees and 39-34 Cleveland Guardians square off in a double-header today with the first game kicking off at 12:10 PM EST.

Gerrit Cole looks to continue a dominant stretch in which he's allowed just two runs over his last three starts. He held the Guardians scoreless over six innings back in April and sports a 6-2 record with a 2.99 ERA on the season.

Cleveland turns to 26-year-old lefty Kirk McCarty, who gave up four runs in four innings to the Rangers in his only start of the year. He's primarily been a minor league arm and compiled a 6.11 June ERA down in Triple-A.

Can Cleveland pull off a massive upset or will Cole keep the Yankees rolling?

Let's check out the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook to find the value in this Yankees vs Guardians Game 1 matchup:

Yankees vs Guardians Odds, Run Line and Total

Run Line:

• Yankees -1.5 (-185)
• Guardians +1.5 (+152)

Moneyline:

• Yankees: -320
• Guardians: +280

Total:

• 8.5 (Over -105/Under -115)

Yankees vs Guardians Prediction and Pick

Kirk McCarty may be in for an exceptionally long day. He's thrown seven major league innings this year and given up five home runs. Down in the minors, he gave up six home runs just in June.

That's a poor sign when you're taking on the most powerful lineup in baseball that easily leads MLB in home runs per game. It certainly doesn't help that the opposing pitcher, Gerrit Cole, is mowing down opponents and allowed one or fewer runs in five of his last six starts.

The Yankees should roll in Game 1, but these are dangerous odds. I avoid backing a team as huge road favorites whenever possible as it almost seems too easy that New York wins in a blow out.

Instead of falling for a potential trap, I'll instead look to the total. Cole relies on high strikeout numbers, but Cleveland strikes out at the lowest rate in MLB. They should make contact and Cole is prone to the occasional blow-up start, like giving up seven runs to the Twins earlier this month.

I expect the Guardians to scratch a few runs out, and I certainly expect the Yankees to score. McCarty has been dreadful this season even in the minors - New York is a bit more capable than those minor league lineups.

The over is 8-3-1 in the Yankees' last dozen games as road favorites and 8-1-1 in the Guardians' last 10 as home underdogs. I expect another high-scoring affair. Either New York clobbers McCarty and hits the over themselves, or Cleveland keeps it competitive by making solid contact against Cole and taking advantage of some mistake pitches. However we get there, I think we'll see at least nine runs.

Pick: Over 8.5 (-105)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.