Yankees vs. Blue Jays Odds
| Yankees Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
| -110 | 8 -105 / -115 | -1.5 +146 |
| Blue Jays Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
| -106 | 8 -105/ -115 | +1.5 -178 |
The New York Yankees look to complete their series sweep over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, which would boost New York past Toronto in the AL East standings. The opening two matchups of this series have featured several heated incidents, and this finale should be competitive as a result.
Gerrit Cole looks to further his early case for the American League Cy Young after pitching to a 2.22 ERA in 56 and 2/3 innings to start the season. He will be opposed by Chris Bassitt, who has pitched to a 3.49 ERA in 49 innings. Read on for a full betting preview, pick and prediction for Yankees vs. Blue Jays on Wednesday, May 17th.
New York Yankees
May has been very kind to the Bronx Bombers, who have come to life offensively by generating 5.93 runs per game. Outside of a series against the Athletics, their elite recent run production has come against quality pitching staffs. They played series against the Guardians and Blue Jays in addition to two series with the Rays.
Nonetheless, the Yankees' 129 wRC+ in May is the second best mark in baseball.
For the season, the Yankees' Barrel/PA Rate ranks fourth at 6.8%, and their .333 xwOBA now ranks eighth.
The New York offense was due for a breakout based upon strong underlying numbers all year. That positive regression is coming in spades currently, as all of the top names in the order are currently hitting exceptionally well.
Toronto Blue Jays
To say Chris Bassitt enters this game in good form might be an understatement. Bassitt has pitched 16 consecutive scoreless innings, including a two-hit complete game on Friday versus the Braves. He threw seven different pitches in that outing and seemingly had all of them working.
Atlanta did still have four hard-hit balls, including two of 107 MPH or greater which did not get down for hits. As you would expect for such an outlier performance, he did benefit from some good luck.
He owns an xERA of 4.68 this season and is well below the league average in K-rate, Walk-rate and Whiff%. Bassitt's ability to mix such a vast arsenal of pitches can help cover the fact that no particular pitch rates overly well.
Even still, he is somewhat of an outlier in terms of allowing such minimal hard contact with more modest spin rates and velocities. His 2022 xERA finished at exactly 4.68, and, just as in 2023 so far, he outperformed that mark by over a full run.
On the injury front, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. exited Tuesday's contest early and is likely to miss this game.
Yankees vs. Blue Jays Betting Pick
This seems to be a good time to sell high on Bassitt in a matchup against a Yankees offense that is hitting its stride.
Bassitt's recent tear has been one of his better runs over the last two seasons. However, his underlying results suggest he has had some good fortune over this heater.
Toronto would love to get 6-7 innings from Bassitt in this spot. Considering the way he has pitched recently, it's likely Bassitt is given a long leash here whether things go well or not.
Targeting Bassitt to allow over 2.5 earned runs at +115 is my favorite way to combine my predictions for the game.
