The Toronto Blue Jays return to the field for the first time since coming as close as a team can to winning the World Series without doing it.
Tonight, they begin their quest for unfinished business when they open the 2026 MLB season at home against the Athletics.
My Blue Jays vs. Athletics predictions and MLB picks are backing the Toronto sticks to pick up right where they left off last season by jumping all over starter Luis Severino.
A's vs Blue Jays predictions
A's vs Blue Jays best bet: Luis Severino Over 5.5 hits allowed (-110)
The Toronto Blue Jays' lineup became famous during their World Series run for their relentless ability to make contact and frustrate opposing pitchers, and that won’t change on Opening Night.
The Blue Jays led the majors in batting average and were fifth in wRC+ vs. right-handed pitchers last season, with the only big change being Kazuma Okamoto replacing Bo Bichette.
The Athletics hand the ball to right-hander Luis Severino on Friday night. Despite looking good in the WBC, Severino ranked in the 14th percentile in expected batting average.
The Jays will rack up the hits on Opening Day.
COVERS INTEL: Severino allowed seven hits in just 4 2/3 innings in his lone start against the Blue Jays last season.
A's vs Blue Jays same-game parlay (SGP)
The Blue Jays batter who’s arguably had the most success against Severino is catcher Alejandro Kirk.
Kirk just sees the ball extremely well out of Severino’s hand. He’s 4-for-6 with six walks in 12 career plate appearances against Severino. That’s good for a .341 expected batting average.
Then let’s look at the newest Blue Jay in Okamoto. The Japanese star was a production monster in the NBP, racking up 827 RBIs.
He’s projected to be hitting in the six spot in the Jays lineup and should have plenty of opportunities to drive in runs tonight, meaning this price on his RBI is a steal.
A's vs Blue Jays SGP
- Luis Severino Over 5.5 hits allowed
- Alejandro Kirk Over 1.5 total bases
- Kazuma Okamoto Over 0.5 RBIs
A's vs Blue Jays home run pick: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (+425)
While people were wondering about his power during the regular season, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. made everyone forget about that with one of the great postseason runs of all time.
Vladdy hit eight home runs during the Blue Jays' run to the World Series with a 1.289 OPS.
Guerrero is also a solid 5-for-14 in his career vs. Severino with one home run, good for a .437 expected slugging. So, while it may seem a little on the nose to take Vladdy to go deep in Game 1, I love the value with him in this spot.
- Best bets: 1-0, +1.36 units
- SGPs: 0-1, -1 units
- HR picks: 0-1, -1 units
A's vs Blue Jays odds
- Moneyline: A's +150 | Toronto -175
- Run line: A's +1.5 (-135) | Toronto -1.5 (+115)
- Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5
A's vs Blue Jays trend
The Blue Jays have hit the Team Total Over in 76 of their last 125 games for +21.35 Units and a 15% ROI. Find more MLB betting trends for A's vs. Blue Jays.
How to watch A's vs Blue Jays and game info
| Location | Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON |
| Date | Friday, March 27, 2026 |
| First pitch | 7:07 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBC Sports California, Sportsnet |
| A's starting pitcher | Luis Severino (2025: 8-11, 4.54 ERA) |
| Blue Jays starting pitcher | Kevin Gausman (2025: 10-11, 3.59 ERA) |
A's vs Blue Jays latest injuries
A's vs Blue Jays weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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