The Arizona Diamondbacks (52-40) and Toronto Blue Jays (51-41) play game 2 of a 3-game series at Rogers Centre Saturday. First pitch is slated for 3:07 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Diamondbacks vs. Blue Jays and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Blue Jays lead 1-0
The Diamondbacks opened a 9-game road trip to start the 2nd half of the season with a 7-2 loss to the Blue Jays Friday. The loss was Arizona’s 6th in its last 8 games, although it is still 26-16 on the road this season.
Blue Jays 2B Whit Merrifield cracked a 2 RBI single and later came around to score as the Jays scored 5 in the bottom of the 7th inning to break a 2-2 tie. Their victory on Friday night was their 6th in their last 7 games, although they remain 6 1/2 games back in the AL East. Toronto has dominated the National League this season, going 17-7 in interleague play.
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Diamondbacks at Blue Jays projected starters
RHP Zac Gallen vs. RHP Kevin Gausman
Gallen (11-3, 3.04 ERA) will make his 20th start. He has a 1.05 WHIP, 1.7 BB/9 and 9.5 K/9 in 118 1/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 7 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 5 K in a 7-3 home victory vs. Pittsburgh Pirates on July 7
- Has never started against the Blue Jays
- 2023 Away Splits: 2-3, 5.08 ERA (51 1/3 IP, 29 ER), 1.31 WHIP, 8.6 K/9, .260 opponent batting average (OBA) in 9 starts
Gausman (7-5, 3.03 ERA) is tabbed for his 20th start. He has a 1.13 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 11.9 K/9 in 115 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 7 K in a 2-0 loss at the Detroit Tigers last Saturday
- Last start vs. Diamondbacks: Win, 5 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 5 K in 7-2 victory on Aug. 11, 2021, as a member of the San Francisco Giants
- 2023 Home Splits: 2-1, 2.58 ERA (59 1/3IP, 17 ER), 0.99 WHIP, 12.9 K/9, .214 OBA in 9 starts
Diamondbacks at Blue Jays odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:41 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Diamondbacks +130 (bet $100 to win $130) | Blue Jays -154 (bet $154 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Diamondbacks +1.5 (-156) | Blue Jays -1.5 (+130)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -104 | U: -118)
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Diamondbacks at Blue Jays picks and predictions
Prediction
Blue Jays 4, Diamondbacks 2
Moneyline
AVOID.
The Blue Jays (-154) will win this game with Gausman on the mound, especially factoring in that Gallen has been a different pitcher away from Chase Field and not in a good way. However, I don’t like putting up 1 1/2 units to win 1 back especially when you’ve got two good pitchers on the mound in the event Gallen right’s the ship. Focus on the run line for better value instead.
Run line/Against the spread
BET BLUE JAYS -1.5 (+130).
On top of the aforementioned reasons why I like the Blue Jays to win this game, it’s notable that they are 24-18 at Rogers Centre this season. Toronto has outscored its opponents 38-18 over its last 7 games.
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Over/Under
PASS.
While I won’t make this bet myself, I would lean to the UNDER 8 (-118) in this game. Gallen has not been good on the road but he was the NL All-Star Game starter for a reason. I think this will be a low-scoring affair with the Blue Jays coming out on top.
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