Toronto's playoff hopes hinge on timely hitting as George Springer, Scherzer and the bullpen headline tonight's betting focus
Max Scherzer takes the mound for the Toronto Blue Jays tonight in their game against the Washington Nationals, on a day the Jays gained a little in the American League wild card race, despite losing two of three games to the Red Sox in Boston over the weekend.
The only good news is the mediocrity of the teams the Jays (48-58) are looking to vault over in the standings, to grab that last wild card spot – the Houston Astros (52-55), on a one-game losing streak, the Seattle Mariners (52-54), winners of one, the Cleveland Guardians (54-53), losers of five in a row, the Baltimore Orioles (51-55) losers of one, and the Detroit Tigers (50-56), losers of two in a row.
The Jays are now 5.5 games out of the last wild card spot, going into tonight’s game against the Nationals (6:45 p.m. EST start time, at National Park in Washington, with the weather forecast to be 83 degrees and sunny).
It’s Scherzer’s first start since June 12. He’s 1-4 on the season, with a 10.23 ERA and 1.73 WHIP. Washington counters with Eddy Yean (0-0, 0.00 ERA).
In MLB betting at Betway, the Nationals are betting favourites on the Moneyline, at -120, the Blue Jays are +100. The Runline is Nationals -1.5 (+140), Blue Jays +1.5 (-190). The Total is 9.5 (Over -120, Under +100).
Scherzer has been chomping at the bit to get back into a game, and this game is pivotal if you’re assessing whether the Jays buy or sell by the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline.
The good news is Scherzer rides in after three strong starting pitching performances in a row by the Blue Jays’ pitching staff. There was a strong performance from Trey Yesavage Friday, 4 IP, 9K, in a 6-4 loss; Dylan Cease’s epic 9-inning, 12K demolition of the Red Sox on Saturday, a 6-0 win, and Kevin Gausman’s solid 6 IP, 3 ER, 5H, 6K performance yesterday in the 6-1 loss.
The bats, though, and the team’s ineptitude with runners in scoring position, are the bigger issue, which is why if management is going to give the core that took them to the World Series last fall a realistic shot at a wild card spot this season, they will need to add by the deadline and address hitting.
I am going Blue Jays’ Moneyline, with Scherzer coming back. His ERA is terrible, but that’s a tiny sampling, impacted by injury. He’ll be in playoff mode tonight, striking out seven in five rehab innings last week. Plus, he spent seven seasons with the Nationals and will be motivated there as well.
Washington is going with an opener tonight (Yean), creating openings for the Jays.
I just feel bullish on Scherzer – I like the 5+ strikeout market at +300. A more conservative choice there would be 3+ strikeouts, at -190.
Also, take a look at George Springer, Over 1.5 Total Bases (Hits Only), at +125, since he’s been red hot of late (.966 OPS with 2 HRs and 8 RBIs through the past 15 days), and he’ll feast on the Nationals bullpen.
I also like Under 10.5 Total Runs, at -140, because Scherzer, plus a rested Blue Jays bullpen, could keep things in check.
