Jun 1, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Yankees outfielders Alex Verdugo (24) (left), Aaron Judge (99) (center) and Juan Soto (22) celebrate after the last out of the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports
- The AL-leading New York Yankees go for a sweep of the San Francisco Giants on Sunday afternoon
- Struggling ace Blake Snell gets the ball for the Giants while Nestor Cortes goes for the Pinstripes
- See the Yankees vs Giants predictions, odds, and best player-prop picks for Sunday, June 2
Leading the American League in win percentage (.683) and the entire majors in run differential (+105), the New York Yankees (41-19) look to stay hot on Sunday afternoon when they have a chance to sweep the San Francisco Giants (29-30) on the road at AT&T Park at 1:05 pm PT/4:05 pm ET.
Funky lefty Nestor Cortes toes the rubber for the visitors while the Giants trot out struggling two-time Cy Young-winner Blake Snell in the series finale.
New York Yankees vs San Francisco Giants Picks
The Yankees won the first two games of the series by a combined score of 13-5 and now have the opportunity to feast on a flailing Blake Snell. Coming off his second Cy Young award, Snell has been arguably the worst pitcher in baseball this year, with an ERA still in double-digits (10.42) over a third of the way through the season.
Last time out, Snell lasted just 4.0 innings against the Phillies, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks with seven strikeouts (his highest K total of the season).
Snell does at least have solid numbers against the Yankee lineup over his career. In 79 total at-bats, New York hitters are slashing just .179/.347/.308 against Snell with three home runs (courtesy Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Alex Verdugo).
But the Blake Snell of years past is not the same pitcher we’ve seen in 2024 and, until he actually shows signs of turning it around, I will continue to fade him. Don’t forget that, following his first Cy Young season in 2018 (when he had a 1.89 ERA and 0.97 WHIP), he came back with a 4.29 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in the 2019 season. In other words, Snell’s struggles – though they don’t often arise – have a history of being prolonged when they do.
Cortes, on the other hand, is having another rock-solid season with a 3.30 ERA and 1.06 WHIP through 11 starts. He’s been particularly good in his last three, allowing just two earned runs total over 17.1 innings against the White Sox, Mariners, and Angels.
Cortes will also have a novelty edge against the vast majority of the Giants lineup. Only two San Francisco hitters have ever faced Cortes’ janky delivery before: Matt Chapman (3-for-14) and Jorge Soler (0-for-2). Expect another quality outing from the 29-year-old lefty.
NYY vs SFG Starting Pitchers
| 3-4 | Record | 0-3 |
| 3.30 | ERA | 10.42 |
| 2.95 | xERA | 4.98 |
| 1.06 | WHIP | 2.00 |
| 23.6% | K% | 24.7% |
Sascha Paruk’s 2024 MLB betting record: 14-10 (+0.42 units)
Sascha was a hockey player in his youth, a lawyer in his capricious mid-20s, and has been with SBD since 2014. He specializes in football, basketball, politics, baseball, and hockey.