Entering play on August 2, the Toronto Blue Jays were 53-52 and were six-games behind the New York Yankees in the AL East. Ten days later, they're 62-52 and within a half-game of the 61-50 Bronx Bombers, and they've got a pivotal game at Rogers Centre coming up on Saturday which could put them in true command of this division as we head towards the last month of the campaign.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Masahiro Tanaka and Marco Estrada were locked into a real pitchers' duel last Sunday to end this series. Estrada threw 6.1 scoreless innings, besting Tanaka and his two runs allowed over six frames.
Yes, live bettors are going to be aware that this time around, there should be more runs, if for no other reason, the pitchers are fresh in the hitters' minds.
That said, there's reason here for belief that the Yankees should be in better shape in this one than they were to end the series in the Bronx.
Tanaka was only used for 80 pitches on the day, and he allowed just three hits. It was the first time he had pitched on four-days of rest in quite some time. He'll have his more traditional five days of rest for this game, and there's a decent chance he pitches into the seventh or eighth inning as a result, something which should please live bettors.
Estrada might have 11 wins this year, and he might be on a roll, but he isn't going to stay this lucky either. The righty is giving up just as many fly balls as he was last year when he conceded 29 dingers, yet only 11 balls have left the yard against him. The Yanks can mash with the best of them, and if guys like Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira can get their bats on a couple high fastballs, live bettors will be stuck cringing who bet on Toronto in hopes its roll would continue.
ADVANCED STATS
The Blue Jays rode into Wednesday on a nine-game winning streak, including a sweep of these Yankees in the Bronx in which they allowed just one run in three games.
It's the offense of Toronto which truly is frightening right now. The Jays have averaged 5.1 runs per game in August thus far, and that's after putting up a team BABIP of just .248.
In spite of that, the Jays have a .216 ISO as a team and a .459 slugging percentage, blasting 18 homers in nine games.
To think that this offense could be even better than this is a terrifying thought for the rest of the American League, as this is the one team which can blow to bits any pitching staff it runs up against in a short series.
TALKING BULLPENS
Twenty-five times, Andrew Miller was called upon late in games to finishing things off with a lead this year. The first 24 went exceptionally well. The lefty though, blew his first save of the season on Tuesday.
On the surface, a closer lasting into August – albeit with a few weeks on the DL sprinkled in – is impressive, and going 24-of-25 isn't bad news.
For Miller though, the handwriting has been on the wall for some time now.
The southpaw has allowed just 19 hits in 39.0 innings of work this year. Eight of those 19 have come since July 22. Three of his eight earned runs allowed have come in that span as well.
Remember that Miller was never a full-time closer before this season. Chinks in the armor are starting to show, and if you're a live bettor playing a game in the middle of the season, there might be a real opportunity to bet on the Blue Jays here if they are trailing in the ninth at tremendous odds.
The MLB odds for this game will be available first at BookMaker Sportsbook. Gamble on the game between every half inning with BookMaker's live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen in the next at-bat or how many runs will be scored in the next inning. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker's new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here, and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2015 at 1:07 p.m. ET at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The contest will be televised live on the MLB Network.
