The set-up: Most felt that the Yankees were "throwing in the towel" for the 2016 season with trade deadline deals in which they moved relievers Chapman and Miller, plus did the same with the team's best offensive ‘weapon,' Carlos Beltran. New York's fading playoff hopes took a hit to begin this week when the Yanks lost two of three at home to the Blue Jays and the Yankees will surely need to take this weekend three-game series (if not make it a sweep) against the AL West cellar-dwelling Angels (51-70), in New York's lone visit to Anaheim in 2016. LA's season is hopelessly lost and trying to escape the AL West basement plus playing the role of spoilers are all that seems left for this team this season.

The pitching matchup: Masahiro Tanaka (9-4, 3.40 ERA) gets the nod for the Yankees with Jered Weaver (8-10, 5.32 ERA) opposing him for the Angels. Tanaka owns a modest nine wins but he's been ‘sneaky good' to sports bettors, with New York going 17-7 in his 24 previous starts. His moneyline mark of plus-$984 ranks 10th-best among all starters. The 33-year-old Weaver limps in 0-3 over his last five starts (team is 2-3), having allowed at least five runs in each of his losing decisions.

The pick: Tanka over Weaver seems like a "no-brainer" at first blush but a closer look reveals that Tanaka has allowed 18 runs (13 earned) on 25 hits over 16 innings of his last three road starts (that's a a 7.31 ERA!). Meanwhile, Weaver owns a 2.41 ERA over his last three home starts, with the Angels winning each time. LA is a ‘live dog' in this one. Top-rated 10* on the Angels.