By now, it should be no surprise to see the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners serve up a back-and-forth nail-biter — the first two games of this series followed that script and this afternoon could be more of the same.
Seven of the teams’ past nine meetings have been decided by a single run, and the Mariners clung on for a 9-8 win yesterday, sparked by five runs in the seventh and more clutch hitting from ex-Blue Jay Teoscar Hernandez.
For Toronto, that’s now four losses in its past five games, despite piling up 14 hits and three homers yesterday. Alek Manoah, still desperately searching for his 2022 form, takes the mound today as the visitors try to avoid a sweep.
Read on for our free MLB betting picks for Blue Jays vs. Mariners on July 23.
Blue Jays vs Mariners odds
Blue Jays vs Mariners predictions
A pitching duel turned into offensive fireworks in yesterday’s matchup as the teams combined for 23 hits and seven homers — and that paves the way for another high-scoring contest, especially with two shakier starters on the mound.
In the case of Seattle Mariners starter Bryan Woo, the sample size is small (eight career starts), but the right-hander didn’t get out of the fourth inning against the Twins on Tuesday, allowing seven runs on eight hits.
As for Alek Manoah, his rough season has been well documented, and his short start against the Padres earlier this week made for painful viewing — he needed 92 pitches to record nine outs.
Combined with a Toronto Blue Jays bullpen that leaked runs yesterday, I expect the Mariners to keep the scoreboard ticking along here.
There were at least encouraging signs at the plate yesterday for the visitors as Kevin Kiermaier, Brandon Belt, and Vladimir Guerrero all went deep. The Blue Jays hit well despite George Springer and Bo Bichette combining to go 1-for-10 at the top of the line-up.
Manoah’s last start ended in a 9-1 loss, while Woo’s last outing was a 10-3 beatdown against Minnesota. That kind of form screams Over here, with the arrow pointing upward for both lineups.
My best bet: Over 8.5 (-116 at SIA)
Blue Jays vs Mariners same-game parlay
Over 8.5 (-115)
Alek Manoah Under 5.5 strikeouts (-160)
Teoscar Hernandez Over 1.5 total bases (+120)
An early-ish hook for Manoah goes hand-in-hand with the Over here, and he failed to record a strikeout against San Diego on Tuesday despite closing in on 100 pitches. With control still a concern, Manoah went deep into the count time and again, and I like the Under on his strikeouts here.
Hernandez is swinging a hot bat, fueled by facing the team that traded him to the Mariners in the offseason. He already has four hits in this series (and just a single strikeout) and he’ll have chances to pad those numbers against Manoah.
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Blue Jays vs Mariners moneyline and Over/Under analysis
Seattle enters as the favorite this afternoon — and Manoah’s struggles are the most obvious reason for that. The Blue Jays will give their Opening Day starter every opportunity to rediscover his electric 2022 form, but the clock is ticking with Hyun-Jin Ryu nearing a return to the rotation.
Though Toronto has won 13 of its last 21 road games, the Mariners are the hotter team, with a 12-6 record over their past 18 contests. Seattle also holds an 8-2 record in the past 10 meetings between these teams.
The hosts have shown the ability to rally back from deficits, and they got 5-for-11 hitting, with three HRs, from the 7-8-9 holes yesterday. After the Blue Jays’ postseason meltdown against the Mariners, the visitors are unlikely to feel that any lead is safe.
The Game 2 offensive outburst from both teams was somewhat surprising. The series opener hit the Under, and the Blue Jays hadn’t scored more than four runs in a game since July 16.
However, now the bats have woken up, and with two less assured pitchers on the mound, this has the feel of another runfest.
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Trend to know
Despite some inconsistency at the plate, the Mariners have trended towards high-scoring games at T-Mobile Park, with the Over hitting in 15 of their last 25 home games. Find more MLB betting trends for Blue Jays vs. Mariners
Blue Jays vs Mariners game info
| Location: | T-Mobile Park, Seattle, WA |
| Date: | Sunday, July 23, 2023 |
| First pitch: | 4:10 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Sportsnet, RSNW |
Starting pitchers
Alek Manoah (2-8, 6.18 ERA): Manoah’s shaky outing against the Padres was in stark contrast to the six solid innings he threw against the Tigers in his first game back from a stint in the minors. He’s largely handled Seattle’s hitters well in prior matchups, but Cal Raleigh (two HRs) stands out as a dangerman.
Bryan Woo (1-2, 4.74 ERA): A relative unknown to the Blue Jays’ hitters, Woo should have a slight edge the first time through the lineup, and he's given up two runs or fewer in his six prior starts before an early hook against the Twins this week.
