The Blue Jays hope to finish off a 4-game sweep of the Yankees tonight in Toronto.
The Jays have outscored New York 16-3 over the first 3 games of the series, including a come-from-behind 4-3 win yesterday as Toronto scored twice in the bottom of the 9th after the Yanks rallied to take the lead in the top of the frame.
20-game winner JA Happ will start tonight for the Blue Jays, who have won 5 of 6 and currently lead Baltimore by 1.5 games for the first AL wild card, 3 games ahead of the Tigers. New York’s starting pitcher is Luis Severino.
BetOnline was the only sportsbook to have posted odds for this game as of Monday morning, listing the Blue Jays as -180 favourites and the Over/Under at 8.5. Toronto paid +105 on the -1.5 run line.
Here are 3 ways you might want to consider doing your Blue Jays betting tonight.
1. Blue Jays on the -1.5 Run Line
Happ has already beaten the Yankees 3 times this year, with the Blue Jays winning all of those games by 2 runs or more. He’s also posted a 2.65 ERA in his last 3 games at home.
Severino is a 22-year-old reliever being pressed into starting duty because of an injury to Masahiro Tanaka. He’s made 9 starts this year, but hasn’t pitched 5 innings since May.
Prior to yesterday, 5 of the Blue Jays’ last 6 wins came by 2+ runs, which is what you need to cover the -1.5 runline.
2. Under 8.5
Neither team is hitting the ball that well right now.
The Yankees were nearly shut out yesterday for the fourth straight game, failing to score until the 7th inning. Toronto had 2 runs through 8 innings, didn’t score until the 8th inning Saturday and has scored 4 runs or less in 6 of its last 8 games.
The Under is 23-9 in the last 32 games between the Blue Jays and Yankees, and 28-11 in Happ’s last 39 starts at home.
3. Blue Jays -0.5 In First 5 Innings
This handicap will allow you to get better odds on the Jays (probably in the -120 range) but requires Toronto to be leading the game after the first 5 innings. If the teams are tied, you’d lose your bet.
Toronto’s greatest edge in this game should be in the first half, when both starters are in the game. The Jays’ bullpen can be pretty leaky, especially middle relief if Happ only goes 6 innings or less.