We have a busy betting slate in Major League Baseball this afternoon, including a matchup between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Athletics.
Alejandro Kirk has been a singles machine, and my Blue Jays predictions expect that trend to continue today against a struggling rookie pitcher.
Find out more in my free MLB picks for this May 31 matchup.
Blue Jays predictions for May 31
- Best bet
Kirk o0.5 singles
(-133 at BetVictor) - SGP pick
Kirk o0.5 singles
Barger o1.5 TB
Hoglund o2.5 ER
(+320 at BetVictor)
Today’s Blue Jays best bet: Here comes Captain Kirk
Pick (-133 at BetVictor)
Alejandro Kirk has quietly emerged as one of the best all-around catchers in baseball.
Defensively, Kirk ranks in the 94th percentile in blocks, pitch framing, and caught stealing percentage. However, his offensive numbers aren’t getting enough attention, and the books continue to underprice his batting props.
The Toronto Blue Jays' backstop has been a near guarantee for a single each night — cashing this prop in seven of his last eight outings — with four singles already through the first two games of this series.
Overall, Kirk is up to a .296 batting average, but he's been especially potent in May. Through 23 games, Kirk is hitting .367 with 27 hits over that stretch, 25 of which have been singles.
Kirk’s underlying metrics are impressive, and they provide a telling reason for his success at the plate this season. He’s got a .303 xBA, which ranks in the 93rd percentile in the majors, to go along with a hard hit rate and squared up rate in the 94th percentile.
This may not bode well for A’s rookie right-handed starter Gunnar Hoglund, who has made just five starts in his MLB career with a 5.13 ERA, allowing 28 hits and 15 runs through 26 1/3 innings.
He also owns a .304 xBA against, per Baseball Savant, which ranks him in just the 13th percentile in all of baseball.
Today’s Blue Jays same-game parlay (SGP)
Christian Kirk Over 0.5 singles
Addison Barger Over 1.5 total bases
Gunnar Hoglund Over 2.5 earned runs
Addison Barger has collected two or more bases in three straight games and has a much higher slugging rate against right-handers than lefties.
Additionally, Barger is a power hitter and ranks among the top of the league in hard-hit rate, which matches up well against Hoglund, who ranks in the 34th percentile in that category.
He also ranks in the fourth percentile in average exit velocity — a hallmark of Barger’s skillset at the plate, ranking in the 99th percentile.
Toronto has put up 23 runs against the A’s over the last two games. Hoglund has allowed three or more runs in three straight outings, averaging four runs per start over that stretch.
He’s been hit hard and often, and that's exactly what the Jays' offense has done all series long with 12 extra-base hits through two games.
Bet on the Blue Jays at BetVictor!
Canada's home for betting on the Toronto Blue Jays, elevate your game with BetVictor and get access to competitive odds, great daily promotions, and more — for all 162 games!
19+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Live Blue Jays odds for today
How to watch the Blue Jays today
| Location | Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario |
| Date | Saturday, May 31, 2025 |
| First pitch | 3:07 p.m. ET |
| TV | Rogers Sportsnet |
| Blue Jays starting pitcher | Brayden Fisher (1-0, 0.00 ERA) |
| Athletics starting pitcher | Gunnar Hoglund (1-2, 5.13 ERA) |
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
