Detroit Tigers at Toronto Blue Jays Betting Preview
Thursday features the first of a four-game series between the Detroit Tigers (40-59) and the Toronto Blue Jays (54-44). The Blue Jays will host this one at the Rogers Centre, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:07 pm ET.
Coming into this series, the Tigers were able to take two of three from the San Diego Padres to start the week. On Wednesday, they pulled out a win in the finale, 4-3.
In the win, Jeimer Candelario had a great game, going three for four with two runs batted in. Victor Reyes also had two runs batted in for the Tigers.
For the Blue Jays, they split a two-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals. After winning Tuesday’s opener 10-3, the Blue Jays lost Wednesday’s game 6-1.
Kevin Gausman was roughed up in this one, giving up five runs on eight hits in just 4.2 innings. The Blue Jays will look to bounce back on Thursday.
The Blue Jays are overwhelming favorites playing at home in this one. They are -215 to win while the Tigers’ moneyline sits at +180. The runline features Detroit +1.5 (-111), and the over/under for total runs is nine.
Tigers Trying To Play Spoiler
At 40-59, there aren’t too many expectations that the Tigers can compete for a postseason spot as they sit 12.5 games back in the division. Still, they will look to play spoiler for other postseason hopefuls, including trying to pick up a win on the road Thursday, where they are just 15-32 this season.
Taking the mound for A.J. Hinch’s team is southpaw Tyler Alexander. In 14 games, the 28-year-old is 2-3 with a 4.05 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and has 18 strikeouts in 33.1 innings.
In his last three appearances, Alexander has given up two runs on eight hits in 7.1 innings of work.
Offensively, the Tigers struggle as they rank dead last in scoring, averaging just 3.22 runs per game (2.66 on the road).
They are led by Jamier Candelario (.215/.278/.377, 10 HR, 32 RBI, 31 R) and Javier Baez (.218/.259/.372, 9 HR, 38 RBI, 37 R).
Against the Blue Jays’ Yusei Kikuchi, Eric Haase, and Jonathan Schoop are a combined 4 for 11 with two home runs and four runs batted in.
Toronto Looks To Stay Hot
Despite their loss on Wednesday, the Toronto Blue Jays have won eight of their last 10, but at 54-44, they sit 11.5 games out of first in the AL East. While they may have a tough hill to climb in the division, they currently lead the AL Wild Card standings.
Trying to pick up another win for Toronto on Thursday will be lefty Yusei Kikuchi. The 31-year-old is 3-5 in 16 games with a 5.12 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, and has 74 strikeouts in 65 innings.
He is coming off of a loss in his last start as he gave up four runs on two hits and five walks in 2.1 innings of work against the Oakland A’s.
Against Detroit’s Alexander, Alejandro Kirk has had success going two for three with a home run. On the season, the All-Star catcher is hitting .312/.390/.484 with 12 home runs, 39 runs batted in, and 48 runs scored.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continues to lead Toronto’s overall offense. In 373 at bats, he is hitting .282/.353/.499 with a team-leading 21 home runs, 62 runs batted in, and 56 runs scored.
Take Toronto To Win And Cover
Looking at the trends, there is a lot of confidence in Toronto in this one. Not only is Detroit 4-12 in their last 16 games, but they have also lost four of their last five against the Blue Jays.
Toronto, on the other hand, has been stellar at home. While they are just 23-24 on the road, the Blue Jays have a 31-20 record at the Rogers Centre.
There is some concern with an inconsistent Yusei Kikuchi on the mound for Toronto Thursday, but still expect the Blue Jays to both win and cover the -1.5 runline (-108) in this one.
