In the first of a three-game series between the Toronto Blue Jays (64-52) and the New York Yankees (62-51) at the Rogers Centre, David Price (11-4, 2.35 ERA) and Ivan Nova (4-4, 3.52 ERA) get the start. The Blue Jays enter this series looking to continue an 11-game winning streak. The game starts at 7:07 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 14 and will air on YES and RSN.
In his most recent outing, Price pitched 7.0 innings, giving up zero runs, striking out seven and walking three in a 6-0 victory over the Yankees. The Yankees were unsuccessful the last time Nova pitched. He did not do well, pitching 5.1 innings, allowing four runs, striking out six and walking two in a 6-0 loss to the Blue Jays. Mark Teixeira (.259, 55 Rs, 30 HRs, 77 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
Toronto is a heavy -226 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at eight runs. The Blue Jays perform well as a favorite with a 46-24 record and have an overall money line of +558. They are perfect SU and 8-0 as the favorite in their last 10 games. The Blue Jays have the most prolific offense in the entire AL, averaging 5.3 runs per game. The Blue Jays rank fourth in the AL in hits at home with 9.1 per game. Toronto’s pitching staff has put it all together in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game dropped to 2.0 during that span, compared to its 4.1 season average. The Blue Jays don’t give up many hits at home to opposing batters at the Rogers Centre, leading the AL with only 7.6 hits allowed per home game.
On the other side, the Yankees have a record of 23-25 when they are the underdog and are -13 overall with the money line. Over the past 10 matchups, they are 4-6 SU and have played poorly as the underdog with a 1-3 record. Within their division, New York’s offense has been struggling. New York has averaged 4.3 runs per game, compared to 4.8 for the duration of the season.
The Blue Jays have gotten the best of the Yankees in head-to-head matchups this season, going 7-2. This game will feature Nova (RHP) on the mound against the Blue Jays, who have a 49-41 record when they take on a right-handed starter. The left-handed Price will take the mound against the Yankees, who have a 21-13 record against lefty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – Tor, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Toronto is 31-22, while New York is 27-29.
The Yankees managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Blue Jays who are heading in with a 33-18 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Yankees are 41-6. The Blue Jays have a 52-6 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking first in runs, Toronto has earned 615 this season. New York ranks second with 542 runs.
Toronto and New York both rank in the top five of the league in walks. Toronto sits at fourth with 383 this season and New York ranks fifth with 377.
The Blue Jays are 58-28 when they hit at least one home run. The Yankees perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 53-31 record.
