The New York Yankees are closing in on their magic number for a postseason berth but they are going to be facing an uphill battle to clinch their tickets to the playoffs this weekend. The Yankees open a three-game set Friday in Toronto at the Rogers Centre, a stadium where they have gone just 4-12 in their past 16.
The Yanks will turn to Masahiro Tanaka on the mound for the series opener. The righty has been a steady presence for the Yankees, surrendering three or fewer earned runs in seven of his past eight starts. Tanaka has faced the Jays lineup three times already this season, posting a 3.63 ERA in those outings.
Marco Estrada will start for the Jays fresh off his new contract extension with the club. The season has not panned out perfectly for Estrada but he has been dealing lately with a 1.80 ERA across his past three starts. The last time the Jays starter faced the Yankees, he pitched seven innings of no-run ball.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Toronto Blue Jays were listed as +145 moneyline underdogs earlier in the day at Sportsbook, while oddsmakers set the Sportsbook total line around 9 earlier at Sportsbook.
Prediction-scoring formulas run on this game pick a potential 6.4-4.6 result in favor of the Yankees. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming MLB matchups here.
New York Yankees vs Toronto Blue Jays Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Toronto Blue Jays sport a record of 71-82 heading into this matchup, while the New York Yankees sit at 85-67 on the season. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Toronto vs New York injuries news.
According to MLB Power Rankings here, it's the No. 12-ranked Toronto Blue Jays and the No. 2-rated New York Yankees in this matchup.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits the Toronto Blue Jays' No. 26-rated offense, averaging 4.25 runs per game, against a New York Yankees defense that ranks No. 5 at 4.11 in runs allowed per game. The Toronto Blue Jays have averaged 8.2 hits per game so far, less than New York Yankees batters have averaged on the year (9.11 hits per game).
Comparing defensive stats, New York owns the No. 8-rated road mark, allowing 4.19 runs per game on the highway. Toronto, on the other hand, rates No. 27 in scoring at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Yankees enjoyed an 11-3 victory at the expense of the Twins on Wednesday, with Luis Severino throwing 3 innings of 5-hit ball at Yankee Stadium.
Toronto didn't plate a single run in their last outing, shut down by Jason Vargas in a losing cause, 1-0, against Kansas City on Thursday.
Next Betting Matchups
New York at Toronto, Saturday, September 23