Baseball Betting - Sabathia Tries To Quiet Toronto Bats

Preakness betting players will hope their pick this weekend doesn't stumble out of the gate like New York "thoroughbred" C.C. Sabathia has since putting on the world's most famous pinstripes. However, Sabathia showed signs of life in his last outing and he'll need more of the same on Thursday at Rogers Center, when the Yankees wrap up a three-game set with the Toronto Blue Jays, the most potent offense in the majors.

Yankees vs Blue Jays odds - Thursday, 7:07 PM ET

Sabathia (2-3, 3.94) tossed a four-hit shutout gem in a 4-0 win at Baltimore, striking out a season-high eight batters while walking only one. This was easily the best start of Sabathia's short New York career to date, and after a half-year in the National League spent dragging Milwaukee to the playoffs, the giant 28-year-old righthander returns to face a time against which he's had success in the past. Sabathia is 7-3 in 10 starts against the Blue Jays when he was with Cleveland, with an ERA of 2.15 while holding them to a .215 batting average.

The Blue Jays will counter with Brian Tallet (2-1, 4.95), who also pitched a stunner in his last outing. Tallet went seven strong innings, giving up a run on two hits with seven strikeouts and a pair of walks in a 6-4 victory at Oakland. Tallet wasn't even supposed to be in the rotation, but various injuries to pitchers like Jesse Litsch and Ricky Romero forced Toronto's hand, and he's done rather well. Tallet has made 20 relief appearances against the Yankees, going 0-1 with an ERA of 2.86.

MLB odds should favor the Blue Jays at home in your US-friendly sportsbook , although it looks like a pitching mismatch on paper between Sabathia and Tallet. The Blue Jays have a great offense, but Sabathia likes pitching agianst them for whatever reason, and it looks like he's got his mojo back. Tallet, on the other hand, the jury is still out on as a starter, and this will be a major test for him. Take the Yankees on the road for your baseball betting pick on Thursday.