Tag: Toronto Blue Jays

MLB AMERICAN LEAGUE CONTENDERS

Title: MLB American League contenders
Author: David Marotta
Date: April 6, 2022

Apr 2, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks (31) is congratulated by New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) as he scores a run s2i against the Atlanta Braves during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Here are the leading contenders for the American League Pennant, along with the odds according to BetMGM.

Toronto Blue Jays +450
Last season Toronto won 91 games but ended up being the team with the best record to not qualify for the postseason. Even though the Blue Jays lost some key players from last year’s squad, including Marcus Semien, Randal Grichuk, and Robbie Ray, the roster still has plenty of offensive firepower, led by triple crown threat Vladimir Guerrero. They also upgraded their bullpen, which was a weakness last season. Only time will tell if Toronto is worthy of being the AL favorite.

Houston Astros +475
The Astros are favored to win the American League West and will be in contention again for the AL crown. Houston lost Carlos Correa and Zack Greinke in free agency, but this team is still loaded. Houston led all of MLB in runs scored last season and returns seven of their top eight position players. Houston also re-signed Justin Verlander, who was impressive in Spring Training after missing the entire 2021 season.

New York Yankees +550
Every season is World Series or bust for the Yankees, and with the current roster built to win now, the trend of five straight playoff appearances should continue. The lineup is loaded, and the Bronx Bombers will head into the opening day with 16 pitchers, led by their ace Gerrit Cole.

Chicago White Sox +550
After losing their opening playoff series in consective years, the White Sox are favored to repeat as AL Central Division Champions, but with the current roster, the expectations are to win contend for the World Series crown. The White Sox are probably the most balanced amongst all the contenders. Chicago finished second in the AL in ERA last season.

Although they lost Carlos Rodon in free agency, with a rotation led by Dylan Cease, Lance Lynn, and Lucas Giolito, the White Sox will be a tough matchup for any team in the AL playoffs. Chicago’s offensive depth also rivals any team in the league,

Tampa Bay Rays +650
Regardless of what the roster looks like on paper, the Rays always find a way to contend. The Rays won 100 games during the regular season in 2021, and, with their young core still intact, Tampa Bay is a great value bet in what should be a competitive AL race.

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Saturday May 26 Free Pick

There was no free Major League pick for May 26, but we went  1-1 on our MLB select picks.

For Friday we successfully cashed in on the UNDER 8 runs in the Mets-Brewers game.

Our loss came in the Angels-Yankees game. We took a shot with the Angels who were over a +200 underdog at game time. The Yankees won 2-1.

Here is our free pick for Saturday May 26.

 Toronto Blue Jays (+174.0) at
 Philadelphia Phillies (-174.0) over +8.5

Game time: Saturday 5/26, 4:05 PM EST

 

The Blue Jays beat the Phillies 6-5 as the underdog last night but things were not easy as the Phillies fought back after trailing 6-1 in the 7th inning.

Blue Blue Jays projected stater, Jaime Garcia has been a disaster on the road this season with a 9.68 ERA in four road starts.

Phillies starter Aaron Nola is 5-0 with a 2.06 ERA at home this

On paper this looks like Phillies by more than one run here. Make sure to list Jaime Garcia and Aaron Nola.

My Pick Icon-ok Philadelphia Phillies (-1.5)

 

That you for vising our page. We hope you enjoyed the free pick. We do have three more picks available today as well.

 

 

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American Division Series: Toronto Blue Jays at Texas Rangers (Oct. 6, 2016)

MLB Playoffs Game 3 Toronto Blue Jays at Texas Rangers  4:30pm EST

Blue Jays: Estrada (9-9, 3.48) Rangers: Hamels (15-5, 3.32)

rougned-odor-05152016
The American League Division Series begins Thursday with a rematch of last years series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers. This season the Rangers have home field advantage. In last seasons postseason five game classic between these two teams, the home team went only 1-4.

The Blue Jays won the regular season series 4-3, but the Rangers won two out of the three games played in Texas. The Rangers went 53-28 at home this season, tied with Cleveland for the best home record in the American League.

Cole Hamels is 0-3 against Toronto with a 5.29 ERA in six regular season starts, the over is 4-2 in those games.  In last years ALDS, Hamels was 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA in two starts against Toronto.  Current Blue Jays hitters have a lifetime .267 batting average and 4 home runs against Hamels.

 

The Rangers are 12-3 in Hamels home starts this season. Hamel has a 5-2 record in those home starts, but he has received very good run support, Hamels home ERA is 4.40 on the season.  Hamels had 5.86 ERA in his last five starts. The Blue Jays who are 9-2 in their 11 games against a left-handed starter, will send Marco Estrada to the mound. Estrada had a 3.75 ERA in two starts against Texas this season, with no decisions.  On the season Estrada is 6-2 with a 3.39 ERA in road starts. Opponents are also only hitting  .203 against Estrada  this season and .193 on the road. Marco Estrada will look to build off of a very solid 2015 playoff run were he was 2-1 with a 2.33 ERA.

The Rangers are favorites -140. I like Toronto’s chances in this game, and the +129 value.  I have two plays for this game Blue Jays Moneyline +129 and  UNDER 9 runs.

 

 

MLB Playoffs Game 1: American League Wildcard Game Pick (Oct.4, 2016)

Baltimore Orioles (89-73) at Toronto Blue Jays (89-73) 8pm EST

Orioles: Tillman (16-6, 3.77) Blue Jays: Stroman (9-10, 4.37)

20161004_011704.jpgThe MLB Postseason begins Tuesday night when two familiar division rivals square up. Both the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays had identical regular season records, with the Blue Jays narrowly winning the regular season series 10-9. For winning the regular season series the Blue Jays have the luxury of playing this single elimination round at home.

Chris-Tillman-10
Chris Tilman is 8-3 with a 2.97 in away games this season

The Blue Jays have a 46-35 home record overall and a 6-4 home record against the Orioles this season. The Orioles have a 39-42 road record on the season. The Orioles do however come in as the hotter team, winning seven of their last nine games, including two out of three road games against the Blue Jays during the final nine game stretch.

The Orioles turn to Chris Tillman with their season on the line. Tillman is 8-3 on the season with a 2.97 ERA over 14 road starts. The over/under record in Tilman’s starts is 4-10. Tilman has made four starts against the Blue Jays this season, he is 1-0 with a 3.63 ERA.

Blue Jays starter Marcus Stroman is 4-3 with a 4.59 ERA in home starts this season. Stroman finished the month of September with a 0-5 record, despite a solid 3.41 ERA. On the season Stroman made four starts against Baltimore and has posted a 1-2 record and 7.04 ERA against them.

When looking at the bullpens, the Orioles hold an advantage on paper. Baltimore’s bullpen has an American League best 3.40 ERA and closer Zach Britton is a perfect 47 for 47 in save opportunities with a 0.54 ERA on the season. Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuno converted on 36 out 42 save opportunities this season, but blew three of his last four save chances.

Despite all the stats and data you can analyze for this game, this is a very even match-up between two division rivals who know each other very well.

It is worth noting that since Major League Baseball added the wildcard game in 2012, the visiting team is 6-2 all time (3-1 American League, 3-1, National League) with the Orioles winning 5-1 on the road over the Texas Rangers the very first year.

I have found the Orioles as big as a +142 underdog (The Greek). The Blue Jays are currently a -147 favorite, which I believe is way too high. This match-up is a close call with the Orioles having at least a 50/50 chance at worse. At -147, I feel it is not worth laying that kind of juice on Toronto. My personal play here and recommendation is to go with Baltimore Orioles Moneyline +142.

 

Tuesday August 2 Free Picks

Here is a preview on two of my free picks in tonight’s games between contenders from the American League East and American League West.

Texas Rangers (Darvish 2-2, 3.09) at Baltimore Orioles (Bundy 3-3, 3.46) 7:05 pm EST

darvishThe Rangers head into Baltimore tonight with momentum and an improved roster. Texas has won seven of its last nine games, while the Orioles have dropped five of their last six games.
The Orioles will send out rookie Dylan Bundy for only his fourth career start. Bundy has pitched a total four scoreless innings over two relief appearances against the Rangers this season, but the Rangers will have some extra muscle in the line-up this time around. The Rangers were winners at the trading deadline by adding Jonathan Lucroy (.299, 13 homers, 50 RBI) and Carlos Beltran (.309, 22 homers, 64 RBI), who are both expected to make their Texas debuts tonight.
Yu Darvish has been solid in his six starts this season, not allowing more than three earned runs in any of his appearances.
The Rangers are 13-11 against the AL East this season. The Orioles are only 8-15 against the AL West including 1-3 against Texas. I expect Texas to improve their record against Baltimore to 4-1 on the season with a win tonight. I am taking the Rangers -115 moneyline.

Toronto Blue Jays (Dickey: 7-12, 4.66) at Houston Astros (McCullers: 6-4, 3.18) 8:10 pm EST

Astros starter Lance McCullers has allowed only one earned run in five of his last six starts. Over these last six starts McCullers has 50 strikeouts in 36 innings pitched.
Blue Jays starter R.A. Dickey has struggled recently. Over his last three starts, Dickey has allowed 17 earned runs over 14 2/3 innings. Astros hitters also come in to tonight with a lifetime .337 batting average and .895 OPS against Dickey in 98 career at bats. I like the Astros -155 moneyline here to defeat the Blue Jays for the second night in a row.

 

Other Picks
✅ Cleveland Indians ML
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✅ Milwaukee Brewers ML

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Wednesday June 8 MLB Day Game Preview

Early weekday games can sneak up on you before you have time to truly evaluate your best options. There’s a full slate of baseball later tonight along with a huge NBA finals game. However there’s equal opportunity to improve your bank roll this afternoon. Here is a preview of today’s early games in Major League Baseball, and my thoughts if you want to get your bets in early.

 

Cubs at Phillies

The Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies will play in the rubber match of their series at 1:05 EST. The Cubs are favored as always, but at -180 money line odds. Phillies starter Vince Velasquez (5-2 , 3.67 ERA) has not pitched beyond five innings in his last four starts. This includes his May 29 start at Wrigley Field where he allowed nine hits and seven earned runs over 4 2/3 innings.

John Lackey (6-2 , 2.88 ERA) is 2-1 with a 4.55 ERA on the road this season due to two rough starts in April, but he is 3-0 with 1.57 ERA in day games this season.

If you decide to bet the Cubs you will have to lay down plenty of juice, but there are not enough reasons to confidently bet on the Phillies. My recommendation is to take Chicago.

Blue Jays at Tigers

The Detroit Tigers will look for their second consecutive series sweep when they host the Toronto Blue Jays. With Jordan Zimmerman on the mound, I like the Tigers chances.

Jordan Zimmerman has allowed more than three earned runs only once this season in 10 starts. The Tigers overall are playing their best baseball of the season and the offense will be a challenge for RA Dickey. Dickey is 4-1 against the Tigers since 2013 with a 4.15 ERA and Tigers hitter have a mixed history against him.

Right now the Tigers are finding ways to win and I like them as a -125 moneyline favorite.

Braves at Padres

I expect a good pitchers duel between two bad teams when the Atlanta Braves take on the San Diego Padres. The fact that Juilo Teheran is only 1-6 despite having a 2.92 ERA and 1.05 WHIP tells the story of how pathetic his run support has been this season. The Braves have managed to score more than three runs only once in the 12 starts made by Teheran this season.

With the Padres sending left handed pitcher Drew Pomeranz (5-5, 2.22 ERA) to the mound, don’t expect for Teheran’s run support to improve. Pomeranz has fallen on some hard luck as well, finding himself on the losing end of two 1-0 games this season, along with winning a 1-0 and 2-0 game. Pomeranz has a 3-1 and 0.73 ERA at home this season. At even money I would lean towards the Padres to win this game, but San Diego is a -150 favorite. So you have to ask if yourself if you really want to lay down -150 on the San Diego Padres against a pitcher as good as Teheran? Playing for under 7 runs is my recommendation here.

Rays at Diamondbacks

Overall this is a pretty even match-up on paper.
Jake Odorizzi (2-3, 3.33 ERA) has been pitching well for the Rays over his last four starts allowing no more than two runs in any of those starts. Archie Bradley (2-1, 4.94 ERA) is coming off of a very strong start against the Chicago Cubs where he only allowed one earned run over six innings with 10 strikeouts. The 8.5 over/under is also right where it should be. Nothing would surprise me in this game, and it is hard to trust the Diamondbacks at home where they are only 10-21 despite winning last night.
Personally among the four early games, this would be my least favorite to bet on.

 

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Tuesday May 10 MLB Picks

You have to own the bad days along with the good days. May 9 was not a good day in baseball for us, dropping all three picks.  The season is a sprint not a marathon and we are still running today.  Here are three MLB picks for Tuesday to get back on track. 

May 9 Record 0-3

Get Sports Strong  MLB Season Record 27-20

Oakland Athletics at Boston Red Sox (Over 9.5 Runs -120)

Athletics (Manaea 0-0, 7.20)  Red Sox (O’ Sullivan 0-0. 9.00)

Not a stellar pitching match-up. Sean O’Sullivan comes in with a 5.96 career ERA over 52 career starts.  A’s prospect Sean Manaea has allowed four runs in both of his first two career starts this season. After combining for 21 runs yesterday, I see these two teams going over 9.5 runs.

 

Detroit Tigers at Washington Nationals (Nationals -1.5 Runs, +130)

Tigers (Fulmer 1-1, 6.30)  Nationals (Ross 3-1, 1.23)

Throughout the Tigers current seven game losing steak, you keep getting the feeling that the Tigers are too good to let this continue, but the bleeding has not stopped. Six of the seven losses during Detroit’s current losing steak have been by four runs or more.  The Tigers will send out rookie starter Micheal Fulmer who has given up 17 hits and 7 earned runs in 10 innings pitched so far.  Joe Ross has not allowed more than two runs in any start this season, and in the start were he allowed two earned runs he was facing the Cubs. I am picking Washington to win by more then one run.  With +130 odds this is a good opportunity to pick up some positive juice.

 

Toronto Blue Jays at San Francisco Giants (Blue Jays Moneyline -123)

Blue Jays (Happ 4-0, 2.50)  Giants (Cain 0-4, 7.84)

JA Happ

The recent trend of these two starting pitchers heavily favors Toronto.  Blue Jays starter, J.A Happ has made eight consecutive quality starts going back to last season.  Giants starter, Matt Cain has only had one quality start this season in six attempts. Cain’s last start resulted in a 17-7 loss to the Colorado Rockies. I like the Blue Jays to pick up the road victory.

 

 

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