The Toronto Blue Jays are trying to avoid dropping their fourth in a row they play host to the Oakland Athletics at Rogers Centre. The game gets underway 1:07 p.m. ET and NBC Sports – California is in line to broadcast this AL showdown.
Oakland Athletics at Toronto Blue Jays Odds
Both teams have equal -105 moneyline odds and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under for this one at 9.5 runs (-110 for the under and -110 for the over). Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the odds standing at Athletics -1.5 runs (+140) and Blue Jays 1.5 runs (-160).
The Athletics are 24-22 SU and have gone 22-23 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 4.0 units for moneyline bettors through the early part of the year, despite having lost 4.0 units ATS. Oakland has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven. The Blue Jays, on the other hand, are 22-24 SU and 22-23 ATS. They’ve lost 2.1 units for moneyline bettors and 2.0 units ATS. Toronto has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Blue Jays games have an over/under record of 20-20-5 so far in 2018. The Athletics have an over/under record of 23-20-2.
Daniel Mengden will get the nod for the Athletics. The right-handed Mengden is 3-4 with a 3.75 ERA and 36 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Blue Jays this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Blue Jays will send righty Joe Biagini (0-2, 7.98 ERA) to the mound. Biagini has 11 strikeouts and seven walks to his name, as well as a 1.84 WHIP. Biagini did not record a start against the Athletics in 2017.
As a unit, Toronto’s pitchers have given up 4.9 runs per game overall this year. The team’s starters have an ERA of 5.42, a WHIP of 1.48 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.4. The bullpen has a 3.42 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 9.2 K/9.
The Toronto offense has put up 4.8 runs per outing, including 4.2 per game over its last 10 games and 4.8 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .235/.337/.371 over its last five games and is 1-4 SU during that stretch.
The Blue Jays’ offense has been led by right fielder Kevin Pillar and first baseman Justin Smoak. Pillar is slashing .297/.335/.491 with four home runs, 20 RBIs, 26 runs and eight stolen bases, and Smoak is batting .258 with six homers, 26 RBIs and 24 runs.
Pillar did not do very well against righties at home last season. Over 236 such plate appearances, he slashed .208/.250/.303 (his overall season line was .255/.300/.403).
In the other dugout, Oakland’s pitching staff allowed 4.8 runs per game and its starters own a 4.61 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 7.38 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.82, along with a K/9 of 7.85.
The Athletics offense has slashed .251/.325/.430 on its way to 4.6 runs scored per game this season, including 5.2 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (4-1 SU).
Oakland’s hitters have been led by Jed Lowrie and Khris Davis, who’ve collectively belted 22 home runs. Lowrie is slashing .328/.394/.559 with nine home runs, 37 RBIs and 20 runs scored, while Davis is hitting .238/.310/.503 with 13 homers, 38 RBIs and 23 runs scored.
The Athletics have gained 3.0 units and are 13-15 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 17 of those games, as opposed to 11 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Blue Jays have netted 0.1 units and are 12-15 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 14 of those games, as opposed to 10 which went under the total.
Oakland Athletics at Toronto Blue Jays Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Blue Jays, ATS Winner – Blue Jays, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Notes
The Athletics have hit 18 home runs in their last 10 games. The Blue Jays have hit nine over their last 10.
Toronto has recorded 21.2 runs + hits + errors per game over its last 10 games and 20.8 over its last five.
The Athletics have won five of their last six games SU while the Blue Jays have lost six of their last seven SU.
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