Free MLB Picks Today: New York Yankees vs Toronto Blue Jays 4/22/23

Gerrit Cole, one of the early season’s stingiest pitchers, leads the way for the New York Yankees (12-8) as they face off against the Toronto Blue Jays (12-8) at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. The Blue Jays took Friday’s series opener 6-1. Starter Yusei Kikuchi went six innings to get the win, giving up one run on four hits.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was 2 for 4 with a home run, two runs, and two RBIs in the win. Brandon Belt added a home run and a double. He drove in four runs. Oswaldo Cabrera went 1 for 3 with a solo home run for the Yankees.

ON THE MOUND

Alek Manoah (1-1, 4.91 ERA) is in line to take the mound for Toronto. The righty allowed seven runs over 4.2 innings in his last start, an 8-1 home defeat against the Rays on Sunday. He was charged with the loss, giving up nine hits while striking out five and walking four. Manoah is making his first appearance against the Yankees this season.

Over four starts against the Yankees in 2022, Manoah was 1-1 with a 2.31 ERA over 23.1 innings. He had 27 strikeouts and eight walks. Right-hander Cole (4-0, 1.40 ERA) will toe the rubber for New York. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Blue Jays.

Cole made three appearances against the Blue Jays in 2022, all as the starter, striking out 15 and walking four over 18 innings (1-1, 5.00).In his last start on Sunday, Cole threw a complete game shutout in a 2-0 victory over the Twins. He allowed only two hits, striking out 10 and walking one en route to the win.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Toronto has averaged only 2.8 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.7, while performing worse across the board (.191/.268/.346). Against righties like Cole this season, the Jays have a .751 OPS.

Matt Chapman is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a 1.078 OPS in 46 at-bats.New York is averaging only 3.4 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.5 for the season, with their slugging percentage dropping to .289 from .404. The Yanks have a .739 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a 1.106 OPS over 55 at-bats, Aaron Judge has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Toronto is 8-6 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.8 runs per game while allowing 5.6 runs. New York has gone 8-6 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 4.1 runs per game while surrendering 3.3.

In the last 10 meetings at Yankee Stadium, each club has won five, though Toronto has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.0-3.1.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Blue Jays are third in the AL East, five games behind the division-leading Rays. The Yankees are third in the AL East, five games behind the Rays.