MLB picks: Blue Jays vs. Yankees, Giants vs. Rockies

We took the time to tackle a terrific Tuesday MLB slate, and came up with two tempting sides for the evening!

Leading off is our look at an AL East showdown between the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees. Then we’ll dive into an NL West clash pitting the San Francisco Giants against the Colorado Rockies.

Toronto Blue Jays (74-62) at New York Yankees (78-59), 7:05 p.m. ET

Both the Blue Jays and Yankees pack plenty of offensive firepower, but starters Steven Matz and Gerrit Cole should keep things under control early at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night.

Matz had a sparkling 1.30 ERA in August (five starts), and pitched a decent five innings of two-run baseball against the Baltimore Orioles when last seen. He held the Bombers in check in his lone start against them this season, allowing just one earned run over 6 2/3 innings while striking out 10 batters on May 25.

Cole has been dominant over four starts since coming off the IL on Aug. 16, allowing only two earned runs (24 2/3 innings). He’s already taken on Toronto three times in 2021, going 2-0 with a 2.33 ERA and .171 opponent batting average.

The Blue Jays bullpen hasn’t played horribly of late, ranking 12th by ERA over the last two weeks (3.43), but the Yankees’ 22nd-ranked bullpen in that same span (4.87 ERA) doesn’t inspire confidence. With the first five innings Under line hanging at a generous 4.5 rather than 4.0, bettors should pounce on this opportunity to cash in early.

MLB pick: Under 4.5 runs (first five innings)

San Francisco Giants (88-50) at Colorado Rockies (63-75), 8:40 p.m. ET

Bettors shouldn’t overthink this one – the Giants will probably post another authoritative victory over the Rockies at Coors Field on Tuesday night.

Logan Webb starts for San Francisco, looking to build on what’s been an incredible last eight outings. He owns a 1.40 ERA over his last 51 1/3 innings of work, including seven innings of one-run ball against the Milwaukee Brewers when last seen on Sept. 2. Webb also blanked Colorado over six innings during this streak, when he faced this club at home on Aug. 12.

Chi Chi Gonzalez responds for the Rockies, and it’s difficult to spin his 9.77 ERA over his last four starts in a positive way. Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford is 5-for-9 (.556) lifetime against Gonzalez with a home run, so look for him to do some damage at the dish.

The Giants should win the bullpen battle handily; they’re fourth by ERA over the last two weeks (2.86), while the Rockies are 13th (3.58).

MLB pick: Giants -1.5 runs (-139)