Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees Prediction: Can Alek Manoah Limit the Yankees Lineup?

Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees Prediction: Can Alek Manoah Limit the Yankees Lineup?

The New York Yankees enter today's matchup with the Toronto Blue Jays amid an eight-game winning streak, the longest active winning streak in baseball. New York now leads the season series over the Blue Jays 7-3 after last night's dominating 12-3 victory. 

Entering yesterday’s series opener, the Yankees' 47-16 record was tied for the third-best record of any team through its first 63 games since 1930. And of the six teams that won 47 of their first 63 or more, only the 2001 Mariners failed to win the World Series.

Despite all those early-season accomplishments and accolades, New York is underdogs for just the fifth time this season. So will the Yankees win their fourth game in five tries as underdogs, or will Toronto prove oddsmakers right, instilling them as worthy favorites?

Read on for our prediction, best play, and odds for Saturday's AL East tilt between the Yankees and Blue Jays.

Blue Jays vs. Yankees Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

• Date: June 18, 2022
• Game Time: 3:07 pm ET
• Where to Watch: YESN, MLB.TV, MLB Extra Innings

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Blue Jays vs. Yankees Line Movement

Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees Prediction

There are many reasons the Yankees are off to a historic start, but one is their home run differential over their opponents. New York has hit 105 home runs and allowed 50, and that +55 home run differential is by far the best in baseball.

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However, Toronto has been no slouch offensively, especially of late. The Blue Jays just snapped an eight-game streak with 12 or more hits, which was its longest since 2009. And with all the talk about New York's dominance, Toronto's success has gone much more under the radar. Since May 24th, the Yankees are an MLB-best 19-3, while the Blue Jays are a much quieter 15-6 in comparison. However, Toronto's offense has been better in that span, as it entered yesterday's series opener with an MLB-high .912 OPS, while New York's was the third-highest (.805).

Toronto has had a propensity for avenging losses in a big way. Yesterday's loss was the first in the last seven where it was coming off a loss in the previous game. In the six earlier wins following a loss, the Blue Jays have outscored opponents 51-11.

We have spent all this time explaining why Toronto should not be an afterthought in this game, but the biggest reason is starting pitcher Alek Manoah (8-1, 1.67). Manoah has not lost a decision at home, as he is 10-0 in his career at the Rogers Centre. In addition, 12 of his 15 home starts have been quality starts, and he has allowed just six home runs in 95 innings. He has also amassed 92 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .202 BABIP and a WHIP of 0.800 at home.

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Toronto has scored a total of 16 runs in its last seven games against New York, but we trust in Manoah's ability to limit New York's offense. Thus, we will not bite on the Yankees as underdogs despite entering with the best record in baseball.

Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees Pick

PICK: Toronto Blue Jays ML (-130) (Bet $130 to win $100)

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