R.A. Dickey (0-3, 5.23 ERA) and the Toronto Blue Jays (12-14) meet Chase Whitley (1-0, 1.80 ERA) and the New York Yankees (16-9) in the first of a three-game division series at the Rogers Centre. The game gets underway at 7:07 p.m. ET on Monday, May. 4 and will air on YES and RSN.
Dickey is 6-3 with a 2.55 ERA and 1.09 WHIP against the Yankees in his career. Devon Travis (.318, 20 Rs, 7 HRs, 23 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 5 yesterday with one run, one home run, and four RBIs. In his pitching opportunities against the Blue Jays, Whitley is 1-1 with a 13.00 ERA, five strikeouts and six walks. Brett Gardner (.320, 17 Rs, 2 HRs, 13 RBIs, 8 SBs) has been doing well offensively for the Yankees, going 2 for 6 yesterday with two runs, one home run, three RBIs, and two stolen bases.
Toronto is favored by a slight -115 margin in its matchup against New York. The teams combine to set the Over/Under (O/U) at nine runs. When playing as the favorite, the Blue Jays have a 6-5 record and overall money line at -314. They are 3-7 SU and perfect as the favorite (1-0) in their last 10 games. The Blue Jays rank fifth in the majors in home runs with 32.
Across the field, the Yankees have a nice record of 8-4 when they are the underdog and are +582 overall with the money line. Over the last 10 games, they were unbeaten as the underdog with a perfect 4-0 record and 8-2 SU. They sport the fourth-ranked offense in the AL, averaging five runs per game. The Yankees are known for their bats, hitting 86 extra base hits. New York has an eye for the strike zone, ranking 3.7 in the AL with third walks per game.
The Blue Jays are 2-1 against the Yankees this season. This game will feature Whitley (RHP) on the mound against the Blue Jays, who have a 9-13 record when they take on a right-handed starter. The right-handed Dickey will take the mound against the Yankees, who have a 10-6 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – NYY, O/U – Over
Notes
New York has won 55% (6-5) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Toronto has won 62% (5-3) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Blue Jays are coming off of a weak pitching game where they recorded four strikeouts. The Yankees have a record of 2-0 when opponents’ pitchers have that many strikeouts or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Blue Jays are 2-12. The Yankees have a 3-7 record when opponents outhit them.
Toronto and New York both rank in the top five of the league in home runs. Toronto sits at fifth with 32 home runs this season and New York ranks fourth with 33.
Toronto and New York both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Toronto sits at seventh with 8.40 hits per game and New York ranks eighth with 8.33.
Toronto and New York both rank in the top 10 of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Toronto sits at seventh with an OPS of .758 and New York ranks eighth with an OPS of .750.
When the Yankees allow at least one home run, they are 8-6. When the Blue Jays allow one or more homers, they have a 9-10 record.
