The inconsistencies of the Toronto Blue Jays have got to be frustrating for the fan base at this point.
An impressive sweep of the San Diego Padres was followed by getting swept by the Tampa Bay Rays over a weekend where they scored just two runs.
Unfortunately, the bats may stay silent in today’s opener against the Texas Rangers. My Blue Jays predictions and MLB picks break down what should be a pitcher’s duel between Kevin Gausman and Jacob deGrom with a best bet and a same-game parlay.
Blue Jays predictions for May 26
- Best bet
Under 7.0
(-133 at BetVictor) - SGP pick
Under 7.5
Kevin Gausman Over 5.5 strikeouts
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Over 0.5 runs
(+700 at BetVictor)
Today’s Blue Jays best bet: Runs are at a premium
Under 7.0 (-133 at BetVictor)
The Toronto Blue Jays just can’t seem to build any momentum this season. Anything positive is canceled out by a negative.
Case in point. The Blue Jays followed their three-game sweep of the San Diego Padres by getting swept by the Tampa Bay Rays over the weekend, plating just two runs in three games.
And I’m sorry to say, Jays fans, runs may be hard to come by as they open a series against the Texas Rangers on Monday afternoon.
That’s in large part because after years of battling injuries, Jacob deGrom is starting to look like himself again. The 36-year-old, two-time Cy Young award winner is dealing. deGrom hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in each of his last seven starts. That’s good for a 1.66 ERA. He’s also struck out 30.4% of batters during that period.
DeGrom’s expected ERA for the season is 2.84, while opponents are limited to a .217 expected batting average. Both rank in the 81st percentile or better among MLB starters.
Now, he faces a Blue Jays’ lineup that looks great some days and struggles on others. But that’s what happens when your lineup is top-heavy and features lots of young bats. Toronto enters this game ranked 21st in batting average, 25th in OPS, and 24th in wRC+ vs. right-handed pitching.
Jays fans can take some solace in the fact that they’re countering deGrom with Kevin Gausman, who has pitched well this year and is coming off his best start of the season.
The veteran right-hander is coming off seven innings of shutout ball against the Padres where he allowed just three hits and struck out nine. His xERA now sits at 3.79 with a K-rate of 24.4%.
Gausman also gets the benefit of facing a lineup that has struggled vs. righties. The Rangers have the third-worst batting average, the fourth-worst OPS, and the fifth-worst wRC+ vs. RHP this season.
The starting pitching will shine in this matchup and keep the game below the total.
Today’s Blue Jays same-game parlay (SGP)
Under 7.5
Kevin Gausman Over 5.5 Strikeouts
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Over 0.5 Runs
We’ll bump the total up to 7.5 for the purposes of the same-game parlay, but then let’s go back to Gausman. His splitter has been dancing this season, and he’s seen a slight uptick in his velocity on his fastball again.
So, it’s clear why we’ve seen his strikeout rate rise again. It’s up to 27.7% over his last eight starts. The Rangers have the 12th-highest strikeout rate this season. Add Over 5.5 Ks for Gausman, a number he’s gone Over six times during this eight-game stretch.
And if anyone is going to score a run for the Blue Jays in this game, it’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Vladdy not only leads the team in runs scored with 30, but he’s touched home plate at least once in 18 of his last 23 games.
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Live Blue Jays odds for today
How to watch the Blue Jays today
| Location | Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX |
| Date | Monday, May 26, 2025 |
| First pitch | 4:05 p.m. ET |
| TV | Rogers Sportsnet |
| Blue Jays starting pitcher | Kevin Gausman (4-4, 4.03 ERA) |
| Rangers starting pitcher | Jacob deGrom (4-1, 2.33 ERA) |
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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