The Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees close out a three-game series this afternoon between American League East rivals at Yankee Stadium
Toronto Blue Jays at New York Yankees
Toronto closer closer Frank Francisco allowed two runs in the ninth inning last night to blow his second save of the season in a 5-4 loss to New York at Yankee Stadium. “He missed with his location,” Blue Jays manager John Farrell stated. “It’s not like he’s wild, the consistent command inside the strikezone has eluded him the past two outings.” The Blue Jays record is now 9-4 over their last 13 games and it could easily be 11-2 after blowing leads in the eighth or later twice in the past five contests. The club is 13-13 away from the Rogers Centre this season, with their 13 wins tied for second most among American League teams. Toronto is 6-14 in day games this season.
Blue Jays starting pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes is 0-3 with a 4.07 ERA and has gone 27 consecutive starts without a win. The left-hander has been doing his part over the last two outings, giving up just two earned runs and striking out 13 in 12 2/3 innings of work. Reyes must be careful with the right-handed power bats in the Yankees lineup, allowing righties to hit .317 against him this year, while left-handed hitters are being held to a .232 average. Today will serve as his first appearance against the Yankees in his career and he’s never faced any Yankees’ hitters previously.
New York leads the American League East outright for the first time since May 10 and owns the league’s second-best winning percentage (.553) behind Cleveland (.652). The Yankees are 5-2 in the rubber game of series this season, including a 4-1 mark in such games at Yankee Stadium. Outfielder Curtis Granderson continues to play a major part in the team’s offensive success, going 4 for 5 last night and batting .429 with three homers and eight RBIs in seven games against the Blue Jays this season. The club’s bullpen is also doing its part by posting a 2.63 combined ERA since April 7, which is the lowest in the AL and second-lowest in the Majors over that span. New York is 10-3 in day games this season.
Yankees starting pitcher Freddy Garcia will make his eighth start of the season today and brings in a 2-4 record and 3.14 ERA. He suffered a 2-1 loss versus the Mets last time out, allowing two earned runs and five hits over seven innings, as it was just his third loss in 15 Interleague starts. Garcia has done a tremendous job of limiting damage with runners on base, as opponents are hitting just .188 against him in that situation. One thing he will need to work on today is keeping the ball in the ball park due to surrendering at least one home run in each of his last five starts. In 15 career starts versus the Blue Jays, he has posted an even 6-6 mark and 6.06 ERA.
Bettors may elect to take a shot and back the Blue Jays due to their 5-0 mark in road games versus right-handed starters, while the Yankees are 1-4 in Garcia’s last five starts
