It was another tough night for the Toronto Blue Jays. The overworked bullpen blew another late lead as the team dropped its third game in a row and six of its last nine overall.
Toronto will need to refocus quickly as it takes on a familiar face in Game 2 of this series against the Los Angeles Angels — Yusei Kikuchi.
My Blue Jays predictions look at how Vladimir Guerrero Jr. & Co. can snap out of their current funk by jumping on their former teammate early. Check out my Blue Jays best bet, same-game parlay, and MLB picks for this matchup against the Angels on Wednesday, May 7.
Blue Jays predictions for May 7
- Best bet
Blue Jays team total Over 4.5
(-120 at BetVictor) - SGP pick
Over 8.5
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Over 0.5 RBI
Anthony Santander Over 0.5 RBI
(+550 at BetVictor)
Today’s Blue Jays best bet: Over and out
Blue Jays Team Total Over 4.5 (-120 at BetVictor)
The Toronto Blue Jays held a 3-2 lead over the Los Angeles Angels heading into the bottom of the eighth inning last night. Then the wheels fell off, and the Blue Jays gave up six runs in what ended as an 8-3 final in favor of the Angels.
The Jays' late collapse has felt like a trend lately, which is in part due to the bullpen being overworked. So, whether in the rotation or the bullpen, the Jays need some more reliable arms.
They could also stand to score more runs.
Much has been made of the Jays’ lack of pop. But there are signs that things are starting to turn. Both Anthony Santander and George Springer went deep last night and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been hitting the ball hard all season.
And the Jays have a great opportunity to bust out against former teammate Yusei Kickuhi.
Toronto traded Kikuchi to the Houston Astros at last summer's trade deadline and then he signed with the Angels in the offseason, and things have been a little less than heavenly with the Halos at this point.
The 33-year-old left-hander is pitching to a 4.98 expected ERA while surrendering a .259 expected batting average to opponents. Those rank in the 23rd and 27th percentiles, respectively.
Kikuchi’s strikeout rate has dipped this season, sitting at just 20.4%. As a result, he’s not missing a ton of bats and getting barreled up. He ranks in the 14th percentile in average exit velocity and the 23rd in barrel rate.
He is also averaging a mediocre 90.7 pitches per start and hasn’t pitched more than six innings this season. That means at least three innings for a bullpen that has the second-worst ERA in baseball.
The Blue Jays team total for this one is set at 4.5. It will be a tough look if they can’t get Over that number in this matchup.
Today’s Blue Jays same-game parlay (SGP)
Over 8.5
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Over 0.5 RBIs
Anthony Santander Over 0.5 RBIs
We can’t add the Blue Jays team total to this same-game parlay, so let’s replace it with the Over 8.5 for the full game.
Toronto starter Jose Berrios hasn’t been much better than Kikuchi with a 4.45 xERA, and we already discussed that the Jays relievers are running on fumes.
And let’s round this SGP out with a couple of Blue Jays I like to be responsible for those runs.
Let’s start with Guerrero. Kikuchi is the type of pitcher he should mash. Vlad is in the 91st percentile or better in xBA, average exit velocity, hard-hit rate, and bat speed. Vladdy is also on an eight-game hitting streak where he is hitting .290 with an .827 OPS.
With Bo Bichette doing a solid job of getting on base in front of him, I like Vladdy to drive in a run in this matchup.
Then let’s pivot to the guy hitting behind Vladdy — Santander. Tony Tater's infamous cold starts are almost funny at this point. Even moreso now that he has hit three dingers and has an .848 OPS over his last eight games.
If Vladdy is getting on, it makes sense Santander can drive him in. Over 0.5 RBI for both tonight.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Live Blue Jays odds for today
How to watch the Blue Jays today
| Location | Angel Stadium, Anaheim, CA |
| Date | Wednesday, May 7, 2025 |
| First pitch | 9:38 p.m. ET |
| TV | Rogers Sportsnet |
| Blue Jays starting pitcher | Jose Berrios (1-1, 3.98 ERA) |
| Angels starting pitcher | Yusei Kikuchi (0-4, 4.21 ERA) |
Not intended for use in MA.
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