The Toronto Blue Jays opened up their third series of the season with a 3-0 victory over the New York Yankees on Friday afternoon at Yankee Stadium to get back to .500 and improve to 4-4 on the campaign.
Ernie Clement launched a pinch-hit home run in the top of the seventh inning and the Jays scored two more runs in the ninth inning on a pair of Nick Burdi wild pitches to spoil New York’s home opener.
Alejandro Kirk also turned in a big performance for Toronto, going 3-for-4 before being lifted late in the game for a pinch runner. He also threw out Anthony Volpe on a stealing attempt in the second inning.
Jays hold on for 3-0 win
After allowing two hits, Green closed things out against his former club to earn his first save of the season in the 3-0 Jays’ victory. Toronto takes the opener of the three-game series in New York and improves to 4-4 on the season. Bettors that took the Jays on the pre-game moneyline (+130) and the game to finish under 8.5 runs (+100) cash their tickets. The second game of the series goes Saturday night in The Bronx.
Jays add insurance
Toronto has expanded its lead to 3-0 after Yankees reliever Nick Burdi uncorked three wild pitches in the top of the ninth that allowed Brian Serven and Daulton Varsho to score after he put multiple runners on. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette both had golden opportunities to blow the game wide open, but they couldn’t convert. They’re a combined 0-for-10 in the game. Live moneyline odds: Blue Jays -6600, versus the Yankees at +1600.
Richards strikes out the side in 8th
Jays reliever Trevor Richards struck out the side in the eighth inning to help preserve Toronto’s 1-0 lead heading into the ninth inning. Richards’ changeup was electric, silencing the bats of Jose Trevino, Gleyber Torres, and Juan Soto. Former Yankee Chad Green is warming in the bullpen for Toronto and will get the chance for the save. Live moneyline odds: Blue Jays -550, Yankees +375.
Jays open scoring in 7th
The Jays have jumped out to 1-0 lead after pinch-hitter Ernie Clement ripped a solo homer off Yankees reliever Caleb Ferguson in the top of the seventh. Live moneyline odds: Blue Jays -300, Yankees +225.
Close the book on Stroman
Stroman’s day is done after pitching six scoreless innings while striking out six on three hits. A very nice outing for Stroman in the Yankees’ home opener.
Kikuchi’s day is done
Kikuchi has been lifted in favour of righty Yimi Garcia in the bottom of the sixth inning. Kikuchi’s final line: 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 7 K. A solid outing for the lefty who has historically pitched well against the Yankees and his over 14.5 outs recorded (-160) cashes with ease. We’re still scoreless.
Stroman notches 5th K
Both pitchers have hit the over on their respective strikeout totals (5.5 for Kikuchi and 4.5 for Stroman) heading into the sixth inning with no score. Kikuchi, who has seven strikeouts through five innings of work, is up to 91 pitches and Trevor Richards is warming in the bullpen. We’ll see if Kikuchi comes out for the bottom half of the sixth.
No runs through four innings
The two starting pitchers are still in cruise control as we’re still scoreless through four innings. Kikuchi is closing in on 80 pitches, so you have to wonder how much he has left in the tank before turning things over to the bullpen. Live moneyline odds: Yankees -140, Blue Jays +110.
Still scoreless after three innings
Toronto scored just two runs in its three-game series with Houston while being shut out twice and the bats are falling flat again this afternoon. Former Blue Jay Stroman is mowing them down with three strikeouts through three innings. He’s closing in on his line of 4.5 strikeouts (+110 on the over) and has thrown just 45 pitches.
Kikuchi is also humming along, recording six strikeouts through three innings to cash his over 5.5 posted total. He laboured through the third inning, though, tossing over 30 pitches.
Live moneyline odds: Yankees -135, Blue Jays +105. Live total now 5.5 runs with -115 juice on both sides.
Kirk catches Volpe stealing
Kirk is having himself a game already, throwing out Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe on a stealing attempt in the bottom of the second. Volpe was +400 to steal a bag and it was his first attempt this season after swiping 24 bags last season. Live moneyline odds after two innings: Yankees -150, Blue Jays +120. Bettors that took the over 8.5 runs in this one can’t be happy with the early pitcher’s duel.
Kirk narrowly misses home run
We’re still scoreless heading into the bottom of the second inning, but Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk nearly got Toronto on the board with a line drive that caromed off the right field wall at Yankee Stadium. Kirk, who doesn’t run well, only managed a single and Stroman worked his way out of the jam. Kirk had +1100 odds to go deep and teased bettors with the prospect of a juicy payout.
Still no score after 1st inning
Kikuchi struggled in his first appearance of the season, but he’s dealing early against the Yankees. After inducing a pair of groundouts, the Jays lefty issued a walk to Aaron Judge before getting Giancarlo Stanton to strike out to end the inning. Kikuchi was +105 to record over 5.5 strikeouts in this one.
Blue Jays waste Springer’s leadoff double
The Blue Jays clearly have an aggressive gameplan at the plate in this one, with leadoff man George Springer stroking a double to right field to open the game. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. then promptly grounded out to first base to move Springer to third and Bo Bichette followed up by becoming Yankees starter Marcus Stroman’s first strikeout victim. Cleanup man Justin Turner couldn’t cash Springer, lining out to shortstop. Yankees move to -180 on the moneyline (closed -155 at bet365) after keeping the Jays off the board. Yusei Kikuchi is on the hill for the Jays.
Blue Jays Close Near +130 Betting Underdogs vs Yankees
As we inch closer to first pitch in the Bronx, the Blue Jays odds will close near +130 underdogs against the 6-1 New York Yankees. Yankees right fielder Juan Soto makes his New York debut on Friday. Soto officially became a member of the Yankees following a significant trade with the San Diego Padres back in December. The trade, involving a total of seven players, saw Soto and Trent Grisham move from the Padres to the Yankees. Soto debuts with the Yankees batting second in the starting lineup.
