Jays currently are +2000 at Betway to win the World Series, and are +1050 to win the AL East, but have a good shot at an AL wildcard spot
As has been the case with the Toronto Blue Jays all season so far, if you’re betting them, you are checking the injury list first.
The Jays have been a Penn Station of player moves, guys off the injured list, and going back on, with key lineup cogs being out for extended periods – names like Shane Bieber, Alejandro Kirk, Addison Barger.
Injuries have been their primary narrative. Now the Jays are about to be the beneficiaries of a bushel of names set to return to action, and via great fortune the team is in striking distance in the American League wildcard race (0.5 games out). Now is the time to make a true turn this season.
Dylan Cease and Max Scherzer are about to rejoin the starting rotation. The Blue Jays are near the league lead in innings pitched by their bullpen, so that’s massive.
The Jays have two days off over the next week, Thursday and Monday. When was the last time you saw that? Kirk might be just a week away, after fracturing his thumb the first week of the regular season.
CF Daulton Varsho, with left wrist discomfort, is day to day. RHP Tommy Nance, dealing with right forearm discomfort, could be back by early June. RHP Yimi Garcia, rehabbing from right-elbow surgery, will pitch Sunday in Dunedin and could be back mid-June. Barber, with right elbow inflammation, continues to hit and throw at the Blue Jays’ complex in Florida and is expected back early to mid-June.
Bieber, with right elbow inflammation, is making rehab starts in Buffalo and is expected back late June.
BEST BETS
Philadelphia Phillies (35-30, 16-13 away) at Toronto Blue Jays (32-34, 19-14 home), tonight, 7:07 p.m. EST, Rogers Centre, Toronto
Christopher Sanchez (7-2, 1.46 ERA) versus Patrick Corbin (2-2, 3.98 ERA)
In MLB betting on Betway, the Phillies are moneyline favorites at -175, the home-side Jays are at +145. On the runline, it’s Phillies -1.5 (+100) and the Jays +1.5 (-120). The total is 7.5 (the Over and the Under is -110).
Blue Jays ATS +1.5 (-120)
The Phillies will win (they’ve won five of their last six), led by lights-out Sanchez, but the Jays will keep it close.
The Jays have an interesting decision coming up regarding Corbin. The veteran has been a capable option while the starting rotation worked through its injury issues, with a Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitcher (WHIP) at an average 1.38.
Corbin has been a roster balm, and with guys like that, plus underperformances by teams like the Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, Baltimore Orioles, Minnesota Twins, and Houston Astros, the Blue Jays have been able to stay in the wildcard conversation despite an average performance.
Under 7.5 (-110)
Sanchez suppresses runs big time (only three home runs allowed), and the Phillies’ road offence has been quiet.
Plus, I am tired of losing money on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Wake me up when he does something real at the plate. And I am not talking dink and dunk singles.
Toronto’s home offence hasn’t been tearing the cover off the ball, overall.
Kyle Schwarber Anytime Home Run (+275)
Schwarber’s power against left-handed pitching gets my attention, and the Rogers Centre is a good home-run park.
The roof will be open tonight, and the ball usually carries well when it’s closed, but the fences are reachable for pull hitters.
Going to be a good night for “Donnie Baseball”, Don Mattingly, who returns to Toronto as Phillies’ manager, after leaving the Jays last offseason, where he was a coach from 2023 through 2025.
The Phillies have really bounced back after firing manager Rob Thomson in April, with Mattingly stepping in.
