With the Wild Card race heading for a frantic finish, the Toronto Blue Jays are heading into must-win territory as they visit the lowly Oakland A's this afternoon.
Despite winning yesterday’s rubber match 7-5 against the Rockies, the Blue Jays are still 1.5 games out of the third Wild Card spot, and anything less than a three-game sweep in Oakland will be a further blow to their postseason hopes.
At 42-95, the Athletics have the second-worst record in the league but have started September on a surprising roll, winning three straight games, including yesterday’s 10-6 victory over the Angels.
Check out our free MLB betting picks for Blue Jays vs. Athletics on September 4.
Blue Jays vs A's odds
Blue Jays vs A's predictions
Hitter-friendly Coors Field was a welcome sight for the Toronto Blue Jays lineup this weekend, with the Blue Jays piling up 27 runs in their three games in Denver. Without Bo Bichette and Matt Chapman, coach John Schneider had urged others to step up — and Toronto responded in style.
I see that production carrying over into today’s matchup, with the Blue Jays facing lefty Ken Waldichuk and his 5.92 ERA.
Toronto mashed him in a relief appearance back in late June, as Waldichuk was charged with six runs from his 2 1/3 innings. If the visitors jump out to a quick start, they could bring the Over within easy reach.
Jose Berrios takes the ball for Toronto this afternoon and his August starts raised a few red flags — with a 5.53 ERA while giving up seven homers. He gave up five runs in each of his last two games while giving up a combined 15 hits.
Though he’s facing an Oakland A’s lineup that’s dead last in the league in batting average (.224), hits, and runs. The hosts scored 21 runs in their weekend sweep of the Angels, so I don’t see Berrios cruising through this start.
The Blue Jays are likely to bring an aggressive mindset to their hitting and base-running with every win priceless at this stage of the year.
My best bet: Over 8.5 (-116 at SIA)
Blue Jays vs A's same-game parlay
Over 8.5 (-120)
Ken Waldichuk Over 2.5 walks issued (+150)
Whit Merrifield to record a hit (-225)
Waldichuk walked five batters in his last outing and I’m counting on the Blue Jays’ plate discipline to cash in the Over on 2.5 walks this afternoon. Toronto had 17 total walks in their three games against the Rockies over the weekend.
I’m also picking Merrifield to stay hot this afternoon after six hits in the series against Colorado. George Springer has returned to the lead-off spot for the visitors, but that’s done little to slow down Merrifield’s impressive season. I see him serving up at least one hit.
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Blue Jays vs A's moneyline and Over/Under analysis
One look at these teams’ respective records makes it a no-brainer for the Blue Jays to be heavy favorites in Oakland, but Toronto made hard work of their series in Colorado against a Rockies team that’s propping up the NL West.
The Blue Jays left it late in yesterday’s series-clinching win, with Whit Merrifield and Ernie Clement coming up with clutch hits in the top of the ninth inning to break a 5-5 tie. Inconsistency is still a factor for the visitors and they’ll again be papering over the absence of Bichette at the top of the lineup.
Still, this series is a great opportunity for Toronto to put pressure on their Wild Card rivals. While the A’s have started September with three wins in a row, they lost four of their last five to wrap up August and their home record sits at a miserable 23-45.
The hosts have hit the first-five team total Over in 17 of their last 28 games at home, while Toronto has cashed in that same prop in 12 of its last 19 games overall.
Despite a sense that the Blue Jays’ hitters have underperformed this year, they’re still in the Top 5 in hits and batting average. They should get chances to pad those numbers this afternoon.
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Trend to know
The Blue Jays’ bats have turned a corner lately and they’ve cashed in the Over in seven of their last eight games. Find more MLB betting trends for Blue Jays vs. A's
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Blue Jays vs A's game info
| Location: | Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, CA |
| Date: | Monday, September 4, 2023 |
| First pitch: | 4:07 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Sportsnet, NBCS-California |
Starting pitchers
Jose Berrios (9-10, 3.70 ERA): Berrios served up five stellar starts in July for a 1.84 ERA but some August struggles mean he needs to bounce back here. He got through six innings of work last time out against the Nationals but gave up five runs on six hits.
Ken Waldichuk (2-7, 5.92 ERA): It’s been a tough second season for the Oakland lefty, with the 25-year-old moving between the starting rotation and the bullpen, but there were some positives in four innings against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday — with just one run allowed.
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