Yankees vs. Blue Jays prediction and odds for Monday, May 15 (Offenses should thrive)

The Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees are in third and fourth place in the AL East heading into their series opener on Monday. 

New York’s offense is starting to turn things around with Aaron Judge back in the lineup, ranking No. 1 in the league in OPS over the past week. Is that a cause for concern for the Jays on Monday? 

Usually it wouldn’t be with Alek Manoah on the mound, but the Jays’ ace has a 1-3 record and 4.83 ERA so far this season. However, he did toss seven shutout innings in his first meeting with New York on April 22. 

New York counters with Jhony Brito (2-3, 5.81 ERA). The rookie has struggled at times this season, failing to complete five innings in five of his last six starts. 

Here’s a look at the odds and my best bet for this AL East showdown: 

Yankees vs. Blue Jays odds, run line and total

Yankees vs. Blue Jays prediction and pick

Manoah seems to own the Yankees, posting a career ERA of 1.93 in seven starts against the team, but I think that could change on Monday with New York’s bats heating up. 

I still prefer Manaoh and the Jays over Brito, but I think the Yankees’ offense helps push this game over the total of 9.5. 

New York has scored 45 runs in its last six games since Judge returned from the injured list, moving it to 15th in season-long OPS after ranking in the bottom 10 for a good stretch of the season. 

Manoah’s 4.83 ERA is supported by a 5.76 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP), showing that he may actually regress more if he keeps pitching like this. The Jays ace has allowed 10 runs (seven earned) in 14.2 innings in three starts since facing New York. 

Brito has been brutal for the Yankees since he was rocked by the Minnesota Twins for seven runs in 0.2 innings on April 13. 

The youngster should have trouble slowing down this elite Jays lineup, and the Yankees bullpen has been taxed lately after some short outings over the weekend against Tampa Bay. 

I think we’re in line for a high-scoring game on Monday night. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.