Trading Shutouts
With the strength of the American League East over the past couple of years, it is no surprise that they will all beat up on each other throughout the season.
And just to prove that, the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees have each recorded a shutout in their first two games against one another. Who will gain the upper hand in the third of the four-game series?
Let’s check the latest MLB picks, stats, injury reports, and MLB odds for Blue Jays vs Yankees. We’ve plenty of MLB predictions.
Starting Pitching Top Issue for Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays have a potent offensive lineup, but their biggest question mark to compete for an AL East title is their starting pitching. And so far, the starters have been found lacking, minus Alek Manoah’s stellar outing on Monday night.
Jose Berrios will be back on the mound for his second start of the season on Wednesday. Last time out, Berrios only recorded one out and surrendered four runs. Not the start to the season he wanted, but he is looking to bounce back against the Yankees.
Berrios will be looking to attack hitters and regain his strikeout prowess, but if his stuff is off again, the lurking Yankee lineup will be ready to pounce.
The Blue Jays continue to be the underdog in the sportsbooks, but never count their offense out, especially in the confines of Yankee Stadium.
Yankees Need More from Starters
Nasty Nestor Cortes and the bullpen did a great job for the New York Yankees in shutting out the Blue Jays’ powerful lineup. The bullpen needs to continue these types of outings until starters are stretched out to their more normal pitch counts.
Gerrit Cole will toe the rubber for the Yankees on Wednesday night, making his second start of the MLB season. He was very shaky in the opener against the Boston Red Sox, surrendering three runs before he recorded an out. He settled in quite nicely, lasting four innings.
Cole should be back in form and ready to go from the start, but he is notorious for giving up runs here and there in the first inning before settling down. The offense needs to get more consistent and start hitting the ball better to give the pitching staff some breathing room. Each of New York’s first five games have been rather low-scoring, tight games.
Jays vs Yankees Head-to-Head
The Blue Jays took the season series 11-8 in 2021, including 8-2 at Yankee Stadium. The Blue Jays swing the bat very well in the Bronx and will look to do more damage against Cole.
Cole, even coming off a poor start to the season, knows this lineup well. Last season, he started against the Blue Jays five times, posting a 3.72 ERA over 29 innings.
Jays vs Yankees Game Information
- Game: Blue Jays (3-2) vs Yankees (3-2)
- Location: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
- Day/Time: Wednesday, April 13th, 7:05 p.m. ET
- Blue Jays vs Yankees Live stream: MLB.tv
Jays vs Yankees Betting Lines
Jays vs Yankees Prediction
The MLB lines are almost too close to call in this matchup between the Blue Jays and Yankees. Both teams are looking to find their consistency on both sides of the ball and could easily get hot at any time.
But, after a shaky start from Cole to open the season and his fierce competitiveness, he should be in stellar form and ready to shut down the Blue Jays from the opening pitch. The offense will give him enough run support to get them a win.
When you bet online, take the moneyline win with the Yankees at -165 at home.
