The Blue Jays and Yankees play the second game of a four-game set on Tuesday evening in The Bronx. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Blue Jays-Yankees prediction and pick.
While the Yankees still control the top AL Wild Card spot, the Blue Jays sit just three games back of a playoff spot. This series, and game, will have huge ramifications on the AL playoff picture. In the series opener on Monday, the Blue Jays shut out the Yankees, 8-0.
Here’s how the bookmakers have set the lines for Tuesday’s matchup.
MLB Odds: Blue Jays-Yankees Odds
Toronto Blue Jays (+186)
New York Yankees (-203)
Over 8 1/2 runs (-115)
Under 8 1/2 runs (-105)
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Why The Blue Jays Could Win
Toronto enters this game on a five-game winning streak and winners of eight of their last ten games. In this streak, Toronto has scored at least eight runs in each of their past four games. This included a sweep of the Athletics that saw Toronto score 29 total runs in the three-game series. The offense is dominating lately and the pitching has caught up too. The team has thrown shutouts in back-to-back games. While the Yankees will be tough to shut out again, Toronto starter Steven Matz has been one of baseball’s best pitchers since last month. He holds a 1.65 ERA in six starts since the beginning of August. He has not allowed more than two runs in a game since August 10. If Matz can pitch as he had over the past month-plus, and the offense continues to get runs in bunches across the board, this can be another easy Toronto victory, and thus extending the Yankees losing streak to four games.
Why The Yankees Could Win
Just like Matz, Gerrit Cole has also been one of baseball’s best pitchers since August. In four starts across August and September, Cole’s ERA sits at a minuscule 0.73. This amazing span includes wins in all four of those starts. In his last outing, Cole tossed 15 strikeouts in seven innings against the Angels, allowing just four hits and one run. He has not faced Toronto since June 16, but it was then that he earned the win by throwing eight innings, allowing just two runs. In what should surely be a pitcher’s battle until the late innings, look for Cole to rack up another 9+ strikeouts while the Yankees offense finds their swing again following yesterday’s letdown.
The Yankees have been struggling as of late though, losing three straight. To make matters worse, all of them came in the Bronx. But, when Cole is on the mound, there is always a legitimate chance of winning a ballgame. His 2.64 career ERA against Toronto is definitely a promising sign heading into Tuesday’s start.
Final Blue Jays-Yankees Prediction & Pick
While Gerrit Cole is undoubtedly the best pitcher in this matchup, don’t sleep on Steven Matz. The Blue Jays have all the momentum now and Matz’s dominance on the hill will continue. The Blue Jays get to a struggling Yankees bullpen late to win this game, 3-1.
FINAL PICK: Blue Jays MONEYLINE (+186)
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