The Toronto Blue Jays will host the New York Yankees for the finale of a three-game set at Sahlen Field. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Yankees-Blue Jays prediction and pick.
New York will be looking to complete the sweep against the division rival Toronto Blue Jays. New York has been really struggling this season and a three-game sweep of the Blue Jays would be a great sign for this club. Toronto will look to salvage the series and remain over .500 on the season. These AL East clubs are vying for relevance in the division and it's these matchup's that make all of the difference come October.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Yankees-Blue Jays odds.
MLB Odds: Yankees-Blue Jays Odds
New York Yankees -1.5 (+120)
Toronto Blue Jays +1.5 (-140)
Over 10.5 Runs (-110)
Under 10.5 Runs (-110)
Why The Yankees Could Cover The Spread
The New York Yankees were one of the preseason betting favorites to win the World Series this year. Things haven't gone according to plan for the Yankees as they are 35-32 through the first two months and their elite lineup just isn't getting the job done. New York is averaging just 3.9 runs per game, which is 25th in the Majors. Luckily for the Yankees, the pitching staff has held down the fort with 3.97 runs allowed per game, which is ninth in baseball.
Right fielder Aaron Judge is doing all that he can to keep this club afloat. Judge has a .901 OPS with 15 home runs and 35 RBI on the season. The big right-fielder has been tearing the cover off of the ball over the last 30 games and if he can keep this level of production up, he may just keep this team around long enough to sneak into the postseason.
New York will turn to right-hander Michael King as they look to complete the sweep. In three starts since taking over for Corey Kluber in the rotation, King has pitched to a 6.35 ERA with two losses. He has allowed 10 runs in 11.1 innings against the Tigers, Red Sox, and Twins. King is currently 0-3 with a 3.77 ERA and 28 strikeouts on the season.
Why The Blue Jays Could Cover The Spread
The Toronto Blue Jays are one of the most exciting young clubs in the league this season. They aren't necessarily in win-now mode, but the Blue Jays are competing with the best of the best because of their elite lineup. Toronto is averaging 4.98 runs per game, which is good for sixth in baseball. They have hit especially well at home with 5.43 runs per game. Toronto's pitching has been middle of the pack this season and good enough to keep them in ball games.
We continue to harp on the fact that this young club doesn't have a stable place to call home. With fans back in the ballparks, home field advantage has become a thing again and the Blue Jays don't have it. They are currently playing their home games in Buffalo, New York, which may have a correlation with their 13-15 record in home games this season.
Toronto has yet to release their official starter for the series finale. It is expected that right-hander T.J. Zeuch will get the nod, but it is certainly something to monitor. Zeuch has made two starts this season with both coming against the New York Yankees. He has thrown four innings in both of those starts with four earned runs allowed and three total strikeouts.
Final Yankees-Blue Jays Prediction & Pick
Regardless of who ends up getting the nod for Toronto, I like the New York Yankees chances of completing the sweep. The Yankees seem to be figuring something out in this series and it's clear that they won't be tested by the opposing arm in this game. Any game that has a chance of being decided by the bullpen goes to New York by default. The Yankees possess one of the best bullpen's in baseball, which is mostly why they're still relevant.
FINAL PICK: New York Yankees ML (-119)
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