MLB Opening Day delivered a tight contest between two expected AL East contenders, with the Toronto Blue Jays earning a 3-2 win over the New York Yankees with a 10th inning run to break their deadlock.
Toronto and New York will continue their season-opening series after an off day on Friday. Here are our best free MLB betting picks and predictions for Blue Jays vs. Yankees on Saturday, April 3, with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET.
Blue Jays vs Yankees odds
MLB sharp money and line movement report
By Patrick EversonNew York opened a -172 favorite at FanDuel on Friday night, peaked at -186, bottomed out at -156 and is now -162. But as of 12:30 p.m. ET, it's all Yankees on the moneyline, to the tune of 88 percent of bets/94 percent of cash. The total opened at 9 (Under -114), hit 9.5 and 8.5 a couple of times and is now 9 (Under -112). The Over is getting 57 percent of bets/71 percent of money.
Check out the full line movement for this gameBlue Jays vs Yankees betting preview
Starting pitchers
Ross Stripling (2020: 0-2, 6.32 ERA): Stripling is entering his first full season with the Jays, after coming over in a trade from the Dodgers last August. In five appearances with Toronto last season, Stripling went 0-2 with a 6.32 ERA, striking out 13 batters. While his 2020 numbers were not great, he is just a few seasons removed from an All-Star appearance in 2018.
Corey Kluber (*Injured in only 2020 start): A two-time Cy Young award winner, it's been a long road back to the mound for Kluber. Last July, Kluber lasted just a single inning in his Rangers debut, bowing out due to shoulder tightness later revealed to be a muscle tear, ending his season. This will be his first start in the Pinstripes after signing in January.
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our MLB weather info.
Key injuries
Blue Jays: George Springer CF (Out).
Yankees: Jameson Taillon SP (Questionable), Miguel Andujar LF (Out), Luke Voit 1B (Out), Zack Britton RP (Out), Aroldis Chapman RP (Out).
Find our latest MLB injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Over is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings between the Blue Jays and Yankees. Find more MLB betting trends for Blue Jays vs. Yankees.
Moneyline pick
Toronto and New York are both expected to be October contenders this season, and both are expected to get there on the power of their bats. However, in game one, it was pitching that ruled the day. The two teams' staffs combined to allow just 14 hits against 26 strikeouts, with both starters, Gerrit Cole and Hyun Jin Ryu, lasting an identical 5.1 innings with 3.38 ERAs.
While the Jays benefitted from a great outing courtesy of ace Ryu in game one, game two will see a less convincing arm take the mound. Stripling was not expected to win a spot in the rotation ahead of the season but injuries opened the door for him. Though he performed well in spring training, it's a tough spot for him here against a lethal Yankees lineup.
The Yankees' bats will look to rebound from a poor opening day in which just much-maligned catcher Gary Sanchez and bottom-of-the-lineup fielder Clint Frazier registered multiple hits, while Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge combined to go 1 for 10. Against an unconvincing starter in Stripling, New York should be optimistic a more productive day across the lineup is coming.
Add in the advantage they have starting Kluber, who by most accounts is recapturing his old form after two lost seasons, and we like the Yankees to earn their first win of 2021.
PREDICTION: Yankees (-167)
Over/Under pick
With a total of eight, the first game between the Jays and Yankees easily went Under, even with the benefit of an extra inning, due to stellar days on the mound and general first-game rust. That was a bit of a surprise, as both teams were among the 13 to hit the Over in more than half their games last season, and both lineups are expected to be more potent this season.
Working in favor of the Over this time around is the simple fact that neither lineup will be facing aces who are expected to contend for the Cy Young, which both Cole and Ryu are expected to do. With two loaded lineups coming off quiet games set to face unconvincing starters, we like both teams' bats to come alive in game two.
PREDICTION: Over 9 (-106)
Blue Jays vs Yankees betting card
- Yankees (-167)
- Over 9 (-106)
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