The Blue Jays (starter TBD) are in Oakland to face the AL West first place Athletics. The A’s, who are 9-8 at home send RHP Cole Irvin (2-3) to the mound. With no starter determined yet by Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo it is tough to make a pick in this one so we’re just going to take our best shot here – the A’s are at home, I like their young starter and I like them to win.
MLB can seem completely crazy. Take these two teams, The Blue Jays haven’t played in Toronto for 2 seasons because of Canada’s COVID19 travel restrictions (their home is now Florida) and the A’s just lost a starting pitcher Jesus Lozardo for a month because he broke his pinky finger smashing his fist while playing a video game – crazy! For Toronto, with injured staff ace Hyun-jin Ryu missing at least one start, the Jays Tuesday starter has yet (as of this piece being written Monday) to be named. The Blue Jays are 7-8 on the road this season but have been hot winning 7 of 10. The team’s bullpen has been outstanding this season. Even though the Jays are still searching for a true temporary closer, as regular closer Kirby Yeates is on the 60 day IL (elbow), and Julian Merriweather, who had work as a closer early in the season, on the 10 day IL (oblique), the Jays pen in 3rd in MLB with a 3.18 ERA and has a very impressive .88 WHIP. At bat, the Jays DH Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is 5th in MLB with a 1.114 OPS, has a .337 BA 7 HR and an OBP of .486. Shortstop Bo Bichette has 7 HR and 28 hits. For the home team A’s they turn to first year lefty Irvin who, in 5 starts, is 2-3 with a 3.67 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. If you’re placing a bet with NJ online betting sites take note that Irvin has had 2 recent rough outings losing twice to Houston but he has strike-out stuff and is due a win. Irvin is 1-1 at home this season. At the plate Oakland RF Mark Canha leads the team with .389 OBP, 2B Jed Lowrie has 19 RBI and 1B Matt Olson’s .314 BA and 27 hits lead a balanced attack at the plate for the first place A’s. With the Jays having no announced pitcher we can look at the other factors that will determine this one. The A’s are at home, Irvin gets a start in Oakland where he should have success this season. He earned his way into the A’s starting rotation and frankly Melvin has a history of success with picking the next good young starter for his club. If you’re here for Toronto vs Oakland MLB betting odds you likely know the Blue Jays are a team with no real home, they can’t play in Toronto and at some point (like on a west coast trip) this nomadic lifestyle is going to catch up with the team in my opinion. The advantages in this one seem subtle but I think significant enough to point to the A’s getting a win at home.
