CC Sabathia (3-4, 5.28 ERA) and the New York Yankees (1-1) go up against Daniel Norris (0-0, 5.40 ERA) and the Toronto Blue Jays (1-1) in the last of a three-game division series at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees won the last game 4-3 and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 9 and will air on RSN and YES.
Sabathia is 15-4 with a 3.13 ERA and 1.06 WHIP against the Blue Jays in his career. Jacoby Ellsbury (.333 ) continued his hot start yesterday, going 2 for 2 with two runs and one stolen base. In his career against the Yankees, Norris is 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA, 2.00 WHIP, and one strike out. Devon Travis (.500 ) has been hitting the ball well to start the season for the Blue Jays, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run and one RBI.
New York, a -140 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Toronto. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is set at seven runs. They typically aren’t overmatched by pitchers, ranking fourth in the AL with an average of only 5.0 strikeouts per game. Turning to the pitching staff, an area where the Yankees are particularly strong is striking batters out, where they average an AL-best 12.0 K’s per game.
They sport the third-ranked offense in the AL, averaging 6.0 runs per game. Toronto is a terror on the base paths, ranking fifth in the MLB with two stolen bases. Switching gears to Toronto’s pitching staff, they have the fourth-lowest ERA in the AL at 1.00. They also average just 3.0 hits allowed per game, best in the AL.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR, O/U – Over
Notes
The Blue Jays lost their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the Yankees are 1-0. The Blue Jays are 0-1 in close games this season.
New York has lost all of its games (0-1) when leading after 7 innings. However, Toronto has won all of its games (1-0) when taking a late lead.
After a weak showing last week where they got in seven hits, the Blue Jays need to step it up. The Yankees have a record of 1-1 when opponents get seven hits or fewer.
Ranking 14th, New York is in the top half of the league in runs, scoring five this season. Toronto ranks in the top 10 at 10th with nine.
New York and Toronto both rank in the top 10 of the league in walks. New York sits at 10th with seven this season and Toronto ranks seventh with eight.
When the Yankees hit at least one home run, they are 0-1. When the Blue Jays hit at least one homer, they have a 1-0 record.
