The New York Yankees (89-67, 44-34 away) begin their final week of regular season play with a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays (87-69, 43-31 home). The series has significant playoff implications, with both teams still fighting to secure their postseason bid.
Tuesday’s American League East showdown begins at 7:07 p.m. EST inside the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario. According to the oddsmakers, the Blue Jays (-120) are the betting favorite, and the total over-under is at 9.5 runs.
What to Know – New York Yankees
If the season ended today, the Yankees would be in the playoffs with the top wild-card spot. New York has a one-game lead over the Boston Red Sox and a two-game lead over the Blue Jays. The Yankees carry a six-game winning streak into the series.
The expected starter on the mound for the Yankees is right-hander Jameson Taillon (8-6, 4.41 ERA, 1.22 WHIP). Taillon’s last start came against these Blue Jays at the beginning of the month. The 29-year old fired seven innings, allowing three runs on four hits, with two walks and five strikeouts in the loss.
New York averages 4.4 runs per game behind a .325 on-base percentage and .408 slugging percentage. Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton provide the fireworks for the New York offense. The two sluggers have combined for 70 home runs and 185 runs driven in this season.
What to Know – Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto clings to hopes of a playoff birth but has no room for error over the season’s final six games. After dropping three of four last week, the Blue Jays won a pair of contests over the weekend to keep their postseason dreams alive. If Toronto can take two of three from the Yankees, they end the season with a favorable three-game set against the last-place Baltimore Orioles.
On the mound for the hosts is their ace Hyun Jin Ryu (13-9, 4.34 ERA, 1.21 WHIP). The left-hander looks to bounce back after a pair of rough outings where he lasted just 4.1 innings combined in both. Ryu tossed six innings, allowing three hits, no runs, no walks, and six strikeouts in the victory in his last matchup against New York.
Toronto has one of the best offenses in the majors, scoring 5.2 runs per game with a .330 on-base percentage and MLB-best .462 slugging percentage. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is tied for the league-high with 46 home runs, and Teoscar Hernandez is third in the majors with 112 RBIs. Marcus Semien has set career-highs in home runs (43) and RBIs (99) this year.
The Pick is In
Tuesday night’s contest is the start to what should be an epic series between these two rivals, given what is on the line. The Yankees are in the driver’s seat with a two-game lead over the Blue Jays, but anything can happen over the final week of the regular season.
Toronto needs this more, and with their ace heading to the mound, we like their chances to take down the Yankees and put an end to their six-game winning streak.
Betting Pick: Toronto Blue Jays ML
