The Atlanta Braves (8-5) will host the Toronto Blue Jays (4-5) Thursday night at Truist Park, with first pitch slated for 7:10 p.m. ET. We analyze the Blue Jays-Braves betting odds and lines, with MLB picks and best bets.
Blue Jays at Braves: Projected starting pitchers
RHP Nate Pearson vs. RHP Touki Toussaint
Pearson made his MLB debut last week, throwing five scoreless innings against the Washington Nationals, though he didn’t factor into the decision.
- Pearson touched 99 mph with his fastball in his debut and struck out five across those five innings.
- In his minor league career, Pearson went 5-5 with a 2.19 ERA and 10.7 K/9.
Toussaint pitched four scoreless innings in his last outing, which dropped his ERA on the year to 8.10.
- He has struck out 11 batters in only 6 2/3 innings, averaging 14.9 K/9 – one of the highest marks in the league.
- Toussaint has never faced the Blue Jays but is 1-1 with a 16.00 ERA in four appearances against the American League.
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Blue Jays at Braves: Key injuries
Get the latest injury news here.
Blue Jays
- 3B Travis Shaw (personal) probable
- RP Ken Giles (forearm) out
Braves
- 1B Matt Adams (hamstring) on 10-day IL
- 2B Ozzie Albies (wrist) on 10-day IL
Blue Jays at Braves: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 11 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Blue Jays 5, Braves 3
Moneyline (ML)
The Braves are once again the home favorites at -118 on the moneyline. They did drop last night’s game, however, and will now face the impressive rookie Pearson.
Even though the Braves look like the better team right now, I like the BLUE JAYS (+105) in this matchup. If they can put the ball in play against Toussaint and avoid racking up the strikeouts, they’ll come away with a win.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Blue Jays to win returns a profit of $10.50.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
BetMGM’s suggested run line is Blue Jays +1 (-143) and Braves -1 (+120). I think the Blue Jays will keep this one close and within at least one run, if not win outright. For that reason, I like the BLUE JAYS +1 (-143).
Toronto is 5-4 ATS this season and should be able to cover the one-run spread.
Over/Under (O/U)
The Over/Under is 9 runs tonight, which was the same as Wednesday night’s matchup. It remains to be seen what we’ll get from the rookie Pearson in his second start, but his debut sure was promising.
I like the under in this matchup because both of the young starters looked good in their last outings. Not to mention, the total has gone UNDER (-110) in four of Toronto’s last six games.
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