Yankees betting favourites against the Blue Jays tonight as the teams wrap up their 4-game series in the Bronx
First, the bad news. The Toronto Blue Jays announced yesterday that pitcher Jose Berrios underwent full Tommy John surgery on his elbow, that wipes out this season, and at least half of next season.
Hell, he might be gone until 2028. Tough news for Berrios, who had built a reputation as being one of the more bullet-proof pitchers in baseball, consistently racking up big innings-pitched totals over the years.
The Blue Jays find themselves needing a pitcher now, after appearing to be loaded at the position during spring training. Then Shane Bieber got shelved over issues with his Tommy John-repaired elbow. Cody Ponce blew out his knee in the top of the third innings of his first start.
Bieber is about to make his first rehab start, but he’s still looking at a return to MLB in late June, even July. Max Scherzer is working his way back from right forearm tendinitis and is slowly ramping back up to returning.
Now, with a Top 3 of Trey Yesavage, Dylan Cease and Kevin Gausman, and Patrick Corbin in the fourth spot, you’re down to bullpen games, and that brings us to Game 4 of the Blue Jays-New York Yankees series tonight in the Bronx.
BEST BETS
Toronto Blue Jays (22-27, 9-16 away) at New York Yankees (30-20, 16-7 home), 7:05 p.m. EST, Yankees Stadium, Bronx, New York
In MLB betting, at Betway this morning, the Yanks are Moneyline favourites, at -175, with the Blue Jays at +145. On the Runline, it’s Yankees -1.5 (+115), Jays +1.5 (-150). Over/Under tonight is 7.5 (O -125, U +105).
Yankees To Win (-175)
The Blue Jays rode a five-star performance by Yesavage (2-1) last night, six innings, eight strikeouts, two hits, leading the Blue Jays to a 2-1 win over the Yankees.
Today it’s a bullpen game. Do the Jays stretch out Spencer Miles more tonight? Miles struck out five against the Detroit Tigers Saturday, over a season-high 3.2 innings of work, throwing 56 pitches, after reliever Mason Fluharty started.
Braydon Fisher starts today, but only to handle the top of the Yankees’ order.
Yesavage was great last night. Aaron Judge struck out four times. But I don’t see Yankees hitters being held down for a second game in a row.
Under 7.5 Runs (+105)
The Yankees are starting Carlos Rodon (0-1, 5.63 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, 10 strikeouts).
The lefty can still hit in the upper 90s with his four-seam fastball, and possesses a devastating slider, generating tons of swings and misses. If that slider gets going, he can dominate stretches of games.
Rodon went 18-9 last season, for the Yankees, with a 3.09 ERA.
It’s going to be cool at Yankee Stadium tonight – 63 degrees F, cloudy, 63% chance of rain.
I’m also looking at Rodon to get 5+ strikeouts at Betway is -210, 7+ strikeouts +200.
Aaron Judge Anytime Home Run Over 0.5 (+240)
Judge remains the most dangerous hitter in the Yankees’ lineup, and Yankees Stadium’s short porch always makes him a threat against right-handed pitchers.
Judge is third in MLB with 16 homeruns (Kyle Schwarber of the Phillies leads the league with 20 HRs).
Even in a lower scoring game, Judge generates elite hard contact, is the likeliest player to change the game on one swing, and win the four-game series for the Yankees.
