Toronto's right-handed bats could capitalize on JP Sears' home-run troubles as the Jays try to gain ground in the AL Wild Card race
The Toronto Blue Jays barrel towards next week’s Major League Baseball All-Star break at a crossroads.
The MLB Draft is tomorrow through Monday, followed by the All-Star Game, Tuesday in Philadelphia. After that, teams decide whether they’re buyers or sellers, leading up to the MLB trade deadline, this year on Aug. 3.
Where do you slot the Blue Jays this year, in an American League that’s weaker than I can remember?
The Jays, 93 games in, are basically out of it in the American League East, 11 games behind first-place Tampa Bay Rays.
It’s in the AL Wildcard race where they have a sniff – 2.5 games out.
So do they buy or sell, and do bettors see any value at all in this core, being able to turn things around halfway through the season?
In Betway future markets, the Jays are +2500 to win the World Series, and +2500 to win the AL East.
How realistic any of that is will in part come down to guys like Shane Bieber, the former Cy Young winner whom the Jays brought over in a trade last summer from the Cleveland Guardians. Bieber only made his season debut a few weeks back after forearm fatigue, tied to Tommy John surgery on the elbow in April 2024. Bieber has struggled since his return. Is he a realistic hope of helping the Jays reach the post-season? We’ll see tonight in San Diego.
Toronto Blue Jays (44-49, 20-24 away) at San Diego Padres (46-47, 25-23 at home), 9:40 p.m. EST, Petco Park, San Diego, California. In MLB betting at Betway, the Padres are justifiably betting favorites, at -125, with the Blue Jays +105 on the Moneyline. On the Runline, it’s San Diego -1.5 (+150) and Toronto +1.5 (-200). The Total is 8.5 (Over -110, Under -110).
Shane Bieber (0-1, 9.00 ERA) versus JP Sears (2-1, 4.70 ERA)
Over 8.5 (-110)
Both pitchers have shown vulnerabilities, especially Bieber in his three starts back. Sears has a 4.70 ERA and has underlying issues.
Blue Jays Moneyline (+105)
Either way, this is going to be a close matchup, with those two starters going, but the Blue Jays have the edge with their bullpen and are coming off a rest day. Last year, Sears went 9-11 and gave up 30 home runs in 27 starts. That’s a problem for him.
Twenty-six of the 30 homers he gave up last season came against right-handed hitters. He’ll have to face to a lineup that includes Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who had an impressive home run, a laser shot to centre field, in his last game against the San Francisco Giants, Kazuma Okamoto, the impressive rookie who’s up to 21 home runs and 59 RBIs on the season now, all-star Ernie Clement, and George Springer, still one of Toronto’s better hitters against left-handed pitching, despite struggles this year.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Anytime Homerun (+350)
Yes, I am doing it, sprinkling a little cash on Guerrero Jr. finally busting out, after a season so far of letting me down.
