MLB Betting Picks – Can Toronto Blue Jays Survive Against Burnett, Yankees?

There’s always a series in Toronto’s MLB betting season where they face American League rivals in back-to-back series and fall in to an insurmountable hole in the division race. After two implosions late in the 9th inning against Tampa Bay, the struggling Blue Jays will face the vaunted lineup of the Yankees and a former pitcher of theirs in A.J. Burnett.

The team needs their fans to get under Burnett’s skin to win this game.

Fan support in Toronto has been lacking despite the team’s sudden success. Maybe it’s a symptom of the team always doing reasonably well in the spring, only to fall apart throughout the rest of the summer. Maybe the Doc Halladay trade sucked the life out of the city.

No matter what the cause is, the fans need to start boosting the numbers in the stands. The Blue Jays are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games and 9-3 SU in their last 12 games at home. At the very least, A.J. Burnett’s violent departure from Toronto will give them plenty of ammo when he steps to the mound. Ten-thousand fans sounds like a lot, but not in a major market in Toronto that has nothing else to watch with the Leafs and Raptors finished their seasons.

Burnett has been wicked at the stripe this season. He’s 6-2 SU with a 3.28 ERA in 11 games. The Yankees are 8-3 SU when he gets the start. Regardless of who’s pitching, the Yankees are still 6-2 SU in their last 8 games in Toronto and cruising on a five-game winning streak.

New York Yankees (34-20) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (31-24)
Friday, June 4th — Rogers Centre — 7:07pm EST

MLB Betting Lines:

NYY – A.J. Burnett (R) -1.5  +120 -130 O  9.0  EV TOR – Brett Cecil (L) +1.5  -140 +110 U  9.0  -120

Countering for Toronto will be Brett Cecil, an exciting new edition to Toronto’s rotation. The 23-year old lefty is 5-2 SU with a 3.81 ERA over 8 starts, with the Jays going 6-2 SU when he gets the start. Cecil is 0-1 SU against the Yankees lifetime in two starts stemming from 2009 alone.

Where To Watch: YES, Sportsnet Canada

This is a pivotal moment for Toronto. If they want to stay relevant and give their fans plenty of reason to keep showing up, then they’ll need a big game from Cecil. Burnett had his cage rattled in his only appearance against his former team. He may be pitching heat this season, but he’s also a very emotional pitcher. His failings as Toronto jeers him incessantly will give Toronto an opening as Cecil helps them pad the lead.

Furious MLB Free Pick: Toronto RL and ML (UNDER)

In case that wasn’t enough for your baseball betting palette, we’re introducing a new feature right below! Along with your daily MLB free picks, I’m adding a parlay recommendation along with it. The following is not for the weak of heart. You’re getting two for the price of one now, might as well double up your pleasures in MLB betting too.

Warning: for tough guys only!

Tough Guy Parlay Pick Toronto +110 ML and Rays +115 ML

MLB Betting Lines:

Tampa Bay Rays Wade Davis (R) +115 Texas Rangers C.J. Wilson (L) -135

Game Time: Rangers Park — 8:10pm EST

MLB Betting Trends:

• Tampa is 4-1 SU in their last 5 road games
• Tampa is 1-5 SU in last 6 playing in Texas
• Texas is 2-5 SU in last 7 games

Texas is 11-3 SU in last 14 games at home