CC Sabathia returns to the American League this afternoon, when the New York Yankees open the 2009 season against the Baltimore Orioles. Sabathia, who will be making his sixth Opening Day starting appearance, won the 2007 American League Cy Young Award after posting a 19-7 record for Cleveland that year, but struggled in the beginning of the ‘08 season, dropping his first three and five of his first six starts. Starting on the mound for Baltimore today will be Guthrie, who is just one of four starting pitchers in the last 20 seasons to have consecutive Opening Day appearances for the Orioles. Guthrie was 10-12 with a 3.63 ERA last year. He is 2-2 lifetime against New York with a 4.38 ERA in seven games. The Yankees were 11-7 against the Orioles in 2008, including a 5-4 record in Baltimore.

5dimes.com baseball oddsmakers currently have the New York Yankees set as -200 moneyline favorites with the games betting total posted at 8.5 total runs

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Here are some baseball betting trends to consider for this game
Yankees are 4-0 in their last 4 during game 1 of a series.
Yankees are 6-0 in their last 6 games as a favorite.
Yankees are 10-1 in their last 11 games on grass.
Orioles are 47-98 in their last 145 games as an underdog of +151 to +200.
Orioles are 18-38 in their last 56 games on grass.
Orioles are 12-27 in their last 39 home games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.