This is an 8* VALUE PLAY on the Blue Jays RUNLINE.

The Yankees return home for their first game of the season in the Bronx, and I think they're going to fall flat here against their hungry division rival.

That said, at this price, I can't turn down the extra 1.5 runs.

Toronto is only hitting .176 over its first seven games, and this line-up is just too talented to be held down too much longer.

"We have a really talented group," Jays' manager John Schneider said. "We have all the confidence in the world they're going to hit. It's a tough series. You don't want to make any knee-jerk reactions. These guys are professionals, and they're going to be ready on Friday."

Toronto faces Marcus Stroman (1-0, 0.00 ERA), who allowed three unearned runs off four hits over six innings in New York's 5-3 win at Houston.

The Jays counter with lefty Yusei Kikuchi (0-1, 6.23), who conceded three runs over 4 1/3's innings in a loss to the Rays last weekend. Overall though he's 4-3 with a 3.57 ERA in 12 career appearances vs. the Yanks though.

This is going to be a great series and I'm expecting a competitve game out of TORONTO on Friday afternoon.

Good luck, NP