Runs could be at a premium when the Toronto Blue Jays host the San Diego Padres for the opener of a three-game set on Tuesday night.
That’s because Chris Bassitt will toe the rubber against Dylan Cease. Bassitt has been spinning it all season long, while Cease is starting to look like his vintage self.
My Blue Jays predictions and MLB picks lean into this pitcher’s duel on May 20.
Blue Jays predictions for May 20
- Best bet
Under 7.5
(+110 at BetVictor) - SGP pick
Under 7.5
Chris Bassitt Under 17.5 outs recorded
Daulton Varsho Over 1.5 total bases
(+2300 at BetVictor)
Today’s Blue Jays best bet: Bassitt, Cease trade zeroes
Under 7.5 (+110 at BetVictor)
The Toronto Blue Jays are coming off a frustrating series where they lost two of three games to the Detroit Tigers, with the losses coming by a combined two runs. But the Blue Jays will have to put those frustrations behind them quickly as they welcome the San Diego Padres to town.
Toronto now sits at 22-24 heading into this week, but the team is still struggling to find consistency at this point. Handing the ball to their most consistent starter might help.
Chris Bassitt has cooled down a bit after a hot start, but he’s been steady most times when taking the ball this season. The veteran right-hander with the seemingly unlimited arsenal of pitches owns a 3.22 expected ERA. Bassitt has been mixing those pitches well to create soft contact while still getting strikeouts.
Bassitt ranks in the 79th percentile in average exit velocity and the 66th percentile in hard-hit rate while ranking in the 69th percentile in strikeout rate.
He’s also coming off a solid performance where he limited the Tampa Bay Rays to one run on seven hits with six strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings pitched. Now he faces a Padres lineup that’s in a bit of a slump, ranking 21st in batting average and 24th in OPS over the last week.
Countering Bassitt is Dylan Cease. The right-hander got off to a slow start this season but is looking like his old self again. Cease has allowed just three earned runs on six hits while striking out 19 over 13 1/3 innings over his last two starts.
While the Blue Jays rely on their big bats like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, there is still a lot of holes in this lineup that enters this game ranked 24th in OPS vs. right-handed pitching this season.
I always enjoy a good pitcher's duel, and I’m betting we get one tonight. Give me the Under 7.5.
Today’s Blue Jays same-game parlay (SGP)
Under 7.5
Chris Bassitt Under 17.5 outs recorded
Daulton Varsho Over 1.5 total bases
I like Bassitt to be successful in tonight’s matchup, but that doesn’t mean he completes six innings.
Bassitt can give up hits and strikes out a decent number of batters. That can build up his pitch count quickly. As a result, he’s only completed six innings once in his last seven starts.
Meanwhile, the pop in Daulton Varsho’s bat is something this lineup has desperately needed.
Varsho has already hit six home runs and has a .898 OPS through 14 games. He has an extra-base hit in five of his last eight games. Let’s take him to do it again tonight for a big payday.
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Live Blue Jays odds for today
How to watch the Blue Jays today
| Location | Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON |
| Date | Tuesday, May 20, 2025 |
| First pitch | 7:07 p.m. ET |
| TV | Rogers Sportsnet |
| Blue Jays starting pitcher | Chris Bassitt (3-2, 3.16 ERA) |
| Padres starting pitcher | Dylan Cease (1-2, 4.60 ERA) |
Not intended for use in MA.
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