MLB Saturday April 6th Blue Jays at Yankees Betting Preview

New York fans are hoping the April 6th Blue Jays at Yankees betting matchup has a bit more offense from the home team after they were blanked 3-0 by Toronto in the home opener on Friday. Both of the Yankees (6-2) losses were shutout defeats, something you wouldn’t expect from such a star studded lineup.

Toronto (4-4) got just enough on Friday but their three runs scored were just the second highest output in the last seven games. The Blue Jays were playing poorly coming into the Bronx and were +132 for the series opener, but that has dipped to +102 for game two. New York went from a -148 favorite to -120.

Why the Blue Jays Have Value at +102

Toronto has a long way to go with bring their offense back to square, but a nice outing from Yusei Kikuchi (5.1 IP, 4 H) keeping the Yankees offense at bay and the bullpen only allowing 2 hits over 3.2 IP is the formula for success on Saturday. Right-hander Kevin Gausman (0-0, 2.08) could be the right man for the job.

Gausman threw 4.1 IP and allowed just 2 hits and a solo HR on Sunday in a 9-2 win over Tampa Bay where the Blue Jays had their best offensive outing of the season so far. Gausman has also had success vs. New York, going 3-1 with a 1.17 ERA in seven starts since joining Toronto in 2022.

Toronto’s offense has been a wreck so far in 2024, but reprieve might be in sight against the Yankees’ Clarke Schmidt (0-0, 5.06 ERA). The Blue Jays faced Schmidt twice last season and picked up two wins by the combined score of 12-2 while hitting 4 HRs in 10.2 innings. Bo Bichette leads the way with a .429 average (3-7) and a HR vs. the Yankees starter.

Why the Yankees Have Value at -120

Even though the Yankees didn’t do a ton to inspire on Friday it’s important to remember they have also started off 2024 with a 6-2 record. Neither team was really impressive though, with batters 1-5 in the Yankees order going 2-18 while 1-5 on Toronto was 1-20. Maybe it takes a bit for both to adjust to the cold after playing their first two series’ in Houston (both), Arizona (NY), and Tampa Bay (TOR).

Much has been made of Schmidt’s two lopsided losses to New York last season, but his actual numbers weren’t that bad. He gave up 4ER over 5.0 IP in a defeat in September which could have been better, but the 3 runs in the April loss were all unearned as he went 5.2 IP while striking out 8. As a team the Blue Jays are hitting just .208 collectively vs. the right-hander.

Gausman didn’t allow a run in his first start of the season, but he also couldn’t get out of the 5th and threw just 69 pitches. Gausman made just one start in Spring Training while battling shoulder fatigue, something that may be an issue as temperatures at Yankee Stadium are expected to be in the mid-40s on Saturday night.

Free April 6th Blue Jays at Yankees Betting Pick

This game really comes down to whether the Yankees can get any offense going because it’s not going to take a ton to beat the Blue Jays, who were held to 2 runs or less in five of their previous seven games prior to Friday. Gausman is tough, but Aaron Judge (.290), Juan Soto (.333), and Giancarlo Stanton (.353) all hit him well.

Free Pick: Yankees -120