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The New York Yankees (81-77) and the Toronto Blue Jays (87-71) wrap up a 3-game series Thursday at Rogers Centre. First pitch is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Yankees vs. Blue Jays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Yankees lead 7-5
The Yankees might be eliminated from the postseason chase, but they’re still factoring in prominently. New York has not only won the 1st 2 games of this series, but it has recorded back-to-back shutouts, outscoring Toronto 8-0. New York has won 5 of the past 6 games despite being eliminated.
The Blue Jays are currently a half-game up on the Houston Astros for the 2nd AL Wild Card spot, while they’re 1 1/2 games clear of the Seattle Mariners, currently on the outside of the playoff picture looking in. Toronto picked a terrible time for its 1st consecutive shutouts since Aug. 26-27 last season.
Yankees at Blue Jays projected starters
RHP Luke Weaver vs. RHP Chris Bassitt
Weaver (3-5, 6.47 ERA) makes his 25th start and 29th overall appearance. He has a 1.57 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 7.8 K/9 in 119 2/3 innings with the Cincinnati Reds, Mariners and Yankees.
- Last start: Win, 5 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 3 K in 7-1 home win vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks last Friday
- 2023 road splits: 1-4, 6.23 ERA (69 1/3 IP, 48 ER), 13 HR, .292 OBA in 13 starts and 3 relief appearances
Bassitt (15-8, 3.74 ERA) makes his 33rd start. He has a 1.19 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 8.1 K/9 in 192 1/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 6 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 8 K in 6-2 road win vs. the Tampa Bay Rays last Friday
- 2023 home splits: 7-4, 3.08 ERA (102 1/3 IP, 35 ER), 9 HR, .197 OBA in 16 starts
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Yankees at Blue Jays odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:56 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Yankees +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Blue Jays -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Yankees +1.5 (-125) | Blue Jays -1.5 (+105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Yankees at Blue Jays picks and predictions
Prediction
Blue Jays 6, Yankees 3
Moneyline
The Blue Jays (-190) will cost you nearly 2 times your potential return, and that’s just too expensive, especially since Toronto has been blanked so far in this series.
The Yankees (+155) have dominated this series, despite having nothing to lose. However, Weaver has been shaky all season, while Bassitt is a 15-game winner. The right-hander will pitch Toronto to a much-needed victory, but again, this is too expensive on the 2-way line.
PASS.
Run line/Against the spread
The BLUE JAYS –1.5 (+105) are a much better play on the run line at nearly even-money.
While Toronto has failed to cover the run line in the 1st 2 games of the series as a favorite, and it is 3-7 in the past 10 as a favorite on the run line, the Jays have arguably their best pitcher going. Back Bassitt and the home side.
Over/Under
The OVER 8.5 (-115) is worth playing very lightly, but be careful. Again, Toronto has been shut out 2 straight games, so there is quite a bit of risk. Still, the struggling Jays offense should come alive against the very giving Weaver.
The Over is 4-2-1 in the past 7 games overall for the Jays despite the 2 Under results and shutouts in the past 2 contests. The Over is 6-4-2 in the past 12 outings for the Yankees, too.
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