The Toronto Blue Jays (65-51) and the Cleveland Guardians (55-60) wrap up a 4-game series at Progressive Field Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Blue Jays vs. Guardians odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Blue Jays lead 2-1
The Blue Jays took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st inning Wednesday, and that was the only run the game would see. Toronto won 1-0 for a 2nd win in 3 tries, turning the tables after Cleveland won a 1-0 battle Tuesday. The Under has cashed in all 3 games in this series and is 12-1 in the past 13 games overall for Toronto.
The Guardians have managed a total of just 18 runs across the past 9 games, or 2.0 runs per game (RPG). It’s no surprise Cleveland is just 2-7 during that offensive drought and that the Under is 7-1 in its last 8 outings.
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Blue Jays at Guardians projected starters
RHP Alek Manoah vs. RHP Noah Syndergaard
Manoah (3-8, 5.72 ERA) makes his 19th start. He has a 1.74 WHIP, 6.0 BB/9 and 7.9 K/9 in 83 1/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 6 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 5 K in 7-3 road win vs. Boston Red Sox Friday
- 2023 road splits: 3-3, 3.94 ERA (48 IP, 21 ER – 6 HR), .225 opponent batting average (OBA) in 9 starts
Syndergaard (1-5, 6.75 ERA) makes his 15th start. He has a 1.40 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9 and 5.5 K/9 in 66 2/3 innings for the Guardians and Los Angeles Dodgers.
- Last start: Loss, 6 IP, 5 ER, 9 H, 0 BB, 3 K in 7-4 home loss vs. Chicago White Sox Saturday in his home debut for Cleveland
- 2023 home splits: 1-3, 4.93 ERA (38 1/3 IP, 21 ER – 10 HR), .283 OBA in 7 starts
Blue Jays at Guardians odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:50 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Blue Jays -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Guardians +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jays -1.5 (+120) | Guardians +1.5 (-145)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -120 | U: +100)
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Blue Jays at Guardians picks and predictions
Prediction
Blue Jays 5, Guardians 4
Moneyline
The BLUE JAYS (-135) are worth playing in the series finale, although we should see a lot more offense with a pair of shaky pitchers on the bump.
Manoah actually showed some shades of his 2022 AL Cy Young finalist form last time out in Boston, and he has been somewhat serviceable on the road. He should be able to keep down a toothless Cleveland offense.
Run line/Against the spread
The GUARDIANS +1.5 (-145) are worth a look on the run line as home ‘dogs.
Cleveland has won each of the past 4 games outright as an underdog and is 8-0 on the run line in the past 8 as a ‘dog.
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Over/Under
UNDER 9 (+100) is the lean, and you would think this is a slam-dunk play after a pair of 1-0 games the past 2 days.
However, Manoah has been very giving this season and was even banished to the minors for a month to straighten himself out. Syndergaard is also a shell of his former self. Look for both of these pitchers to be giving, although I do not expect to see a double-digit run total, either. Unlike the past couple of days, you’ll actually have to sweat out the Under here.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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