loading...
League Logo
MLB
League Logo
CBB
League Logo
NBA
League Logo
MLB
League Logo
NHL
All
    loading...

    Yankees vs. Blue Jays Wednesday probable pitchers, MLB odds: Gerrit Cole's last chance to impress 2021 AL Cy Young voters

    If Yankees ace Gerrit Cole wants to win the AL Cy Young Award, he better dominate in Toronto on Wednesday.
    Hero Image

    New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole has been one of the best pitchers in the American League since 2018 and is by far the highest-paid pitcher in MLB history. The 31-year-old has yet to win an AL Cy Young Award, however, and he's not likely to this year, either, barring a dominant victory in Toronto on Wednesday in a game with huge wild-card implications and then also getting some help Thursday. The Yanks are short favorites on the MLB odds and Cole is currently a +160 second-favorite to win the Cy.

    The only way Wednesday isn't Cole's final start of the regular season is if the Yankees need him Sunday to get into the AL wild-card game. Otherwise, he would pitch in that game next Tuesday, obviously if the Yankees make it, against Boston, Toronto or Seattle.

    Cole (16-8, 3.08 ERA) leads the AL in victories, is second in strikeouts per nine innings (12.2), third in strikeouts overall (237) and second in WHIP (1.04). Cole's 237 strikeouts are third-most in Yankees single-season history and he could catch No. 1 Ron Guidry, who whiffed 248 in 1978. Jack Chesbro is second with 239 in 1904. Cole is 2-1 with a 2.74 ERA in four starts against the Jays this year, striking out 22 in 23 innings.

    Hard to believe the Yankees haven't had a Cy Young winner since Roger Clemens in 2001. Toronto lefty Robbie Ray (13-8, 2.68, 244 Ks) is the -200 favorite to win the Cy Young and could wrap that up in Thursday's finale against the Yankees if Cole has an off night Wednesday.

    Toronto star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hasn't had much success off Cole career, going 4-for-15 with no homers and two strikeouts. Teoscar Hernandez hits Cole pretty well, going 5-for-12 with a double and homer.

    The Jays start trade acquisition Jose Berrios (12-9, 3.48) opposite Cole. He is 5-4 with a 3.50 ERA in 11 starts since the trade from Minnesota. Berrios' lone start vs. the Yankees this year was Sept. 9 at Yankee Stadium, allowing two runs and five hits over 6.2 innings in a victory. Anthony Rizzo is 3-for-9 career off Berrios with a solo homer. Aaron Judge is 5-for-8 with a double.

    Toronto already has won the season series vs. New York for the first time since 2017 despite losing Tuesday's opener 7-2. The Yankees hold down the top AL wild-card spot by two games and are -2000 to make the playoffs. The Blue Jays are one game back of the second spot and +240 to play extra baseball.

    How should you bet on every MLB game? And which teams could cost you your bankroll? Join SportsLine now to see who wins every MLB game, all from the model that simulates every at-bat 10,000 times. 

    Matt SeveranceSeverance Pays

    Share This Story