New York Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays: Odds, Prediction
The Yankees opened as -135 favourites on the MLB odds for Thursday’s opener.
Yankees vs Jays June 27 Betting Analysis
Indeed, this is the final series between the clubs this season at Rogers Centre barring a playoff matchup, which doesn’t seem very likely on Toronto’s side. The only series left between the AL East rivals is at Yankee Stadium from Aug. 2-4. Both teams could look fairly different then as it’s right after the trade deadline.
The Jays lost two of three at Yankee Stadium from April 5-7 and then won two of three against New York at Rogers Centre from April 15-17. It could have been a sweep if not for allowing four runs in the top of the ninth to the Yanks in that finale, a 6-4 loss.
Juan Soto is 7-for-20 off Toronto pitching this year with a double, homer, five RBIs and three runs scored. Aaron Judge is the AL MVP favourite currently but has done very little in the season series at 3-for-21 with a homer, four RBIs and 10 strikeouts. Alejandro Kirk is 5-for-14 off Yankees pitching this year with three RBIs, while Ernie Clement is 5-for-15 with three, doubles, a homer and five runs scored.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is 5-for-22 vs. the Yanks with a homer and four knocked in. Earlier this week, Guerrero Jr. said he would be open to a trade to New York despite previously saying he’d never play for the Yankees: “Sometimes one says things. It is not that I am trying to take back what I said about the Yankees. But this is a business.” Can’t imagine the Jays would trade him inside the division unless the Yankees massively overpay.
New York Yankees
The Yankees didn’t get into Toronto until very early this morning as their rain-delayed game Wednesday at the Mets didn’t end until about midnight ET. The Bombers were swept the two-game set and have lost three straight, six of seven and 10 of 12. They also have dropped four consecutive series. The lone bright spot Wednesday was Aaron Judge hitting his MLB-best 30th homer. He’s now just the third player in MLB history to reach 30 homers before the All-Star break three times in his career. New York is not currently whole with two veterans, first baseman Anthony Rizzo and DH Giancarlo Stanton, on the injured list and out multiple weeks. To add some offence because of that, the Yanks recently acquired slugger JD Davis from Oakland, and he’s expected to be used in a platoon at first with recently called-up rookie Ben Rice. Lefty Carlos Rodon (9-4, 3.86 ERA) starts Thursday on the mound. The 31-year-old had been having a terrific year until the past two starts in which he has allowed 13 runs and 18 hits over 8.2 innings in losses to Atlanta and Boston. Before those outings, he had a 2.93 ERA on the season. Rodon is 1-1 with a 3.29 ERA in five career starts vs. the Jays. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is 4-for-6 off him career, but George Springer just 2-for-17.
Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto’s game in Boston on Thursday was suspended in the second inning due to rain, which we suppose is an advantage entering this one for the Jays considering they didn’t use any of their bullpen. The game will be made up Aug. 26, at the point at which it was suspended, as part of a split doubleheader. Outfielder Daulton Varsho was out of the lineup a fourth straight game Thursday with a back injury. Righty Jose Berrios (6-6, 3.43 ERA) is on the mound Thursday. Could the 30-year-old be hitting the wall a bit ahead of the All-Star break? Berrios had been terrific but has allowed nine runs over 11 innings in his past two outings. Berrios’ ERA in April was 1.19. In May, it was 4.70. And this month, it’s 5.56. He has allowed seven homers in June. Berrios has been much better at home overall this season at 4-1 with a 2.36 ERA in seven starts. In his career against New York he’s 3-7 with a 5.21 ERA in 12 starts spanning 67.1 innings with 80 strikeouts and 21 walks. Aaron Judge hammers him career, going 12-for-29 with four homers and two doubles. DJ LeMahieu is 9-for-27 off Berrios with three doubles.
