Free MLB Picks Today: Toronto Blue Jays vs New York Yankees 9/28/22

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will be looking to extend his 20-game on-base streak as the Toronto Blue Jays (87-68) host the New York Yankees (95-59) at Rogers Centre on Wednesday with the three-game series tied at 1-1. The Yankees evened the series 1-1 after winning 5-2 on Tuesday, their 10th head-to-head victory in 18 games this season. Jameson Taillon went 7.1 innings to get the win, giving up two runs on seven hits, and Lou Trivino pitched 1.2 scoreless innings to pick up his 11th save. Kyle Higashioka was 3 for 4 with a double and two runs in the win. George Springer went 2 for 4 with a home run and two runs for the Blue Jays.

ON THE MOUND

Gerrit Cole (12-7, 3.49 ERA) is slated to start for New York. The righty leads MLB in strikeouts (244). Cole allowed four runs over six innings in his last start, a 5-4 road win over the Red Sox on Friday. He scattered five hits while striking out eight and walking two in the no-decision. Over two previous starts against the Blue Jays this season, Cole has allowed seven earned runs over 11.2 innings (0-1, 5.40). He has struck out 11 and walked three. RHP Mitch White (1-6, 5.12 ERA) will toe the rubber for Toronto. He has made one prior start against the Yankees this season, giving up one runs over four innings in a 5-2 road win on August 20. He gave up seven hits while striking out five in the no-decision. In his last start on Friday, White took a no-decision on the road against the Rays. He threw four innings and gave up three runs on five hits, striking out two and walking one in the 10-6 loss.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, New York has averaged 4.2 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 5.0. Against right-handed pitchers like White this season, the Yanks have a .747 OPS. Aaron Judge is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a 1.157 OPS in 418 at-bats. Toronto is averaging only 4.2 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.7 for the season. The Jays have a .756 OPS against right-handers in 2022, second highest in MLB. With a .386 OBP over 502 at-bats, Alejandro Kirk has their highest on-base percentage against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

New York is 39-37 away from home in 2022, scoring 4.8 runs per game while allowing 3.8 runs. Toronto has gone 44-33 at home this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 4.5. New York is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings at Rogers Centre with an average scoreline of 5.6-3.1.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Yankees lead the AL East by eight games over the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting first with a magic number of six.