Baseball action is already heating up as the second half of the season continues. The Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees are hot on the heels of the Baltimore Orioles for the AL East lead and their upcoming three-game set will be a crucial test for both sides as they try to keep up with the O’s and push for the playoffs in a tight AL East pennant race.
As long as you’re diamond surfing, check out our MLB free picks – our tips for the best five games to bet on today – and read on for everything you need to know about this big time game.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees Betting Preview
Where: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
When: Friday, July 25, 7:05 PM ET
Line: Toronto Blue Jays (+125) at New York Yankees (-135); total: 8.0 – view all MLB lines
Betting on the Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays enter their series with the Yankees with confidence running high after building a three-game winning streak in their last home stand against Boston.
[sc:MLB240banner ]Pitcher Marcus Stroman brought a no-hitter to the seventh inning, allowing just one hit in a dominating 8-0 win over the Red Sox as they moved to just three games behind the Orioles for the AL East lead. To try and maintain the momentum, the Blue Jays will send Mark Buehrle (10-6, 2.86 ERA) to the mound for the opener against the Yankees.
Buehrle is winless in his last eight starts but his recent record does not reflect the way he has been pitching for the Blue Jays. Though he has a record of 0-5 in those eight games, he has allowed three runs or less in five of those matches but was just unlucky to not get enough run support for him to win the ballgame.
Whatever momentum Buehrle and the rest of the Blue Jays gained from their three-game unbeaten run against the Red Sox will be sorely needed to counter the recent misfortune they have encountered at Yankee Stadium.
Toronto have lost 16 consecutive games in New York against the Yankees, with the Blue Jays’ last victory coming on August 29, 2012 which is also the last time they were able to win a series in the Bronx.
One thing in the Blue Jays’ favor heading into this ballgame is the great form of outfielder Melky Cabrera. He is hitting .481 after the All-Star break including a 3-of-4 performance against the Red Sox yesterday which included a walk and two RBIs.
Apart from their recent Yankee Stadium woes, the Blue Jays have also been terrible on the road lately. They are 2-8 in their last 10 road games.
Betting on the New York Yankees
The Yankees have opened the second half of the season like a team on a mission, winning six of their first seven games as they try to reduce the Orioles’ three-game advantage at the top of the AL East standings. So far, the Jays are keeping pace with them to hold them in second place.
Jacoby Ellsbury has finally lived up to his $153 million contract, hitting .385 after the All-Star break. Third baseman Chase Headley has made an immediate impact after arriving via trade from the San Diego Padres, hitting .300 and driving in the winning run in the Yankees’ 2-1 walk-off victory over the Rangers on Tuesday.
The Yankees resume their ten-game home stand with their series against the Blue Jays and will start Japanese pitcher Hiroki Kuroda (6-6, 3.88 ERA). Kuroda is the last man standing in the Yankees’ injury-plagued starting rotation with the 39-year-old being the only remaining healthy pitcher from the Yankees’ opening day starters.
Injuries have sidelined key starters such as C.C. Sabathia, Michael Pineda, Ivan Nova, and just recently their ace Masahiro Tanaka. But Kuroda just kept plugging along, eating up the innings as he has pitched 123.0 innings in 20 appearances for the Bronx Bombers so far this season.
He has been solid in his last 10 outings, posting a 3-3 slate with an ERA of 3.25. Kuroda was impressive in his last meeting against the Blue Jays last June 25, allowing just three runs and two walks in 6 1/3 innings of work as he led the Yankees to a 5-3 win over the Blue Jays in Toronto.
Apart from their recent mastery of the Blue Jays at home, the Yankees have also made Yankee Stadium a fortress after the All-Star break, going 6-1 in their last seven home games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Yankees (-135) will continue their impressive form against the Blue Jays and win their 17th-straight home win against Toronto. Create a betting account now and see if you can predict which among these two teams will this important AL East battle.
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