The Toronto Argonauts (4-0) and Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2-3) meet Friday at Tim Hortons Field. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (CFL+/TSN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Argonauts vs. Tiger-Cats odds, and make our expert CFL picks and predictions.
The Argonauts improved to 4-0 against the spread (ATS) after covering as 6-point favorites with a 35-27 win at the Montreal Alouettes last Friday. Pro Football Focus gave QB Chad Kelly a grade of 93.4, the highest single-game grade by any player this season, after going 21-of-25 passing with 351 yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT.
The Tiger-Cats covered as 1-point underdogs with a 37-29 win at the Edmonton Elks July 13. Hamilton opened as a 2.5-point favorite at most books, before the line eventually moved toward Edmonton.
It was announced Tuesday that Tiger-Cats backup QB Matthew Shiltz (hip) will join 1st-string QB Bo Levi Mitchell (lower-body injury) on the 6-game injured list. QB Taylor Powell will make his 1st start in the CFL Friday.
In the 1st meeting this season between these teams, Toronto won 32-14 as a 2.5-point home underdog June 18. The Argonauts have won and covered vs. Hamilton in each of the last 3 meetings.
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Argonauts at Tiger-Cats odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 9:54 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Argonauts -450 (bet $450 to win $100) | Tiger-Cats +340 (bet $100 to win $340)
- Against the spread (ATS): Argonauts -9.5 (-110) | Tiger-Cats +9.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 50.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Argonauts at Tiger-Cats key injuries
Argonauts
- OL Isiah Cage (thigh) out
- DL Thomas Costigan (ankle) out
- DL Benoit Marion (thigh) out
- DL Shawn Oakman (non-injury related) questionable
- LB Jordan Williams (knee) doubtful
Tiger-Cats
- OL Alex Fontana (knee) out
- DL Jarrod Hewitt (knee) questionable
- QB Bo Levi Mitchell (lower-body injury) out
- QB Matthew Shiltz (hip) out
- WR Tyler Ternowski (ankle) out
- RB Sean Thomas-Erlington (hamstring) out
- OL Chris Van Zeyl (non-foot-ball related) questionable
- DL Dylan Wynn (knee) out
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Argonauts at Tiger-Cats picks and predictions
Prediction
Argonauts 35, Tiger-Cats 24
Moneyline
Toronto (-450) should beat Hamilton for a 4th straight time, but there’s no need to pay the higher price on the moneyline when the Argonauts should win by margin.
PASS. Look to the spread and/or the total instead.
Against the spread
The Argonauts have picked up right where they left off after winning the 109th Grey Cup last season. Toronto is undefeated ATS and Kelly has looked like a top-4 QB in the CFL this season.
While the Tiger-Cats have looked better in their last 2 games, they have struggled vs. the Argonauts in the last 3 meetings. To make matters worse, Hamilton will be rolling out Powell in his 1st CFL start vs. an Argonauts defense that leads the league with 13 takeaways.
While I do believe Toronto will cover this number, I liked it a lot more when the Argonauts were just 7-point favorites up until Thursday morning.
LEAN ARGONAUTS -9.5 (-110).
Over/Under
Toronto leads the CFL with 17 TDs and the Over has hit in each of its last 3 games.
Hamilton’s opponents have scored an average of 30.8 points per game this season and the Tiger-Cats should struggle to contain 1 of the best offenses in the league in the Argonauts.
While I don’t expect the Tiger-Cats to match pace with the Argonauts, Toronto should be able to do most of the heavy lifting offensively to help the Over hit Friday.
BET OVER 50.5 (-110).
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