The Toronto Blue Jays enter today’s contest on a four-game winning streak and will look to keep things rolling against the Detroit Tigers, who have dropped three of their last four outings.
Toronto will send ace Kevin Gausman to the mound as the club’s top starter looks to build on a string of solid outings. Find out if Gausman can give the visitors their fifth straight victory in our Blue Jays vs Tigers MLB picks and predictions for Saturday, July 8.
Blue Jays vs Tigers odds
Blue Jays vs Tigers predictions
The Blue Jays rolled to a 12-2 win in the series opener over the Tigers last night thanks in large part to Whit Merrifield (1 HR, 4 RBI) and George Springer (1 HR, 3 RBI), but it was a rare offensive explosion for Toronto. The Jays scored just 103 runs through 27 games in June, the ninth-worst mark in the majors, and it also marked the first time they recorded more than six runs in a game since June 25 — a span of 10 contests.
Toronto knocked in its first run of Friday’s game in the third inning but did most of the damage in the fourth and ninth, scoring 11 total runs in those two innings. While they’ve won four straight, sluggish offensive starts have been a trend for the Blue Jays during that stretch as the club has not scored in the first inning in any of those games.
Meanwhile, Kevin Gausman has generally been strong early in ball games, allowing a run in the first inning just once in his last four starts. He’ll be facing a Tigers offense that ranks third-last in the majors in runs per game this season (3.94) and only the Royals and A's boast a lower team OPS than Detroit's .670 — big reasons why I’m banking on another scoreless first inning today.
My best bet: No run first inning (-147 at SIA)
Blue Jays vs Tigers same-game parlay
Under 0.5 runs in first inning (-125)
Tigers team total Under 3.5 (-150)
Blue Jays moneyline (-210)
Along with a scoreless first inning, we’re also going to bank on a low-scoring effort from the Tigers in our same-game parlay. Detroit has been on a bit of a rollercoaster ride offensively of late, averaging 8.40 runs over its last five wins but just 1.90 runs through its last 10 defeats while being shut out three times over that span. It’s pretty much boom or bust for the Tigers and I’m banking on bust against Gausman.
We’ll close out the parlay by making a safe pick and taking the Blue Jays on the moneyline. Toronto has won seven of its last 10 meetings against Detroit and five of the last six while going 3-1 so far in the 2023 season series.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Covers may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook or betting site.
Blue Jays vs Tigers moneyline and Over/Under analysis
The Jays come into today’s ballgame as the sizable favorite on the road, opening at -192 on the moneyline and going as high as -222 at some books by Friday night. I don’t see any reason to go against the books in this matchup.
While Toronto hasn’t been at its offensive peak for much of this season, it still owns a sizable edge in that department over Detroit. Javier Baez (44 RBI) and Spencer Torkelson (43 RBI) are the only players with more than 26 RBI for the Tigers (and neither have been above-average in terms of wRC+), while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (58 RBI) and Bo Bichette (52 RBI) lead a Blue Jays squad that boasts seven players with 30-plus RBI.
The pitching matchup obviously favors the visitors as well. Gausman has held opponents to two earned runs or less in seven of his last nine outings, while Matt Manning has made just four starts this year, giving up four runs in two of those games.
Today’s total opened at 8 and I think the Under is the clear play. The Under has cashed in six of the last eight meetings between the clubs at Comerica Park while going 22-6 in their last 28 matchups overall.
Prior to Friday’s win, the Jays had averaged just 3.67 runs per game over their previous nine contests. Coupled with the Tigers’ sluggish offense, we’ll likely see a lower-scoring affair.
Bet with one of Canada’s best
Looking to bet on some Jays action? Join Sports Interaction, the best in Canada for new bettors.
Trend to know
The Under is 9-1-1 in Toronto’s last 11 games when their opponent scores two runs or less in their previous contest. Find more MLB betting trends for Blue Jays vs. Tigers
Blue Jays vs Tigers game info
| Location: | Comerica Park, Detroit, MI |
| Date: | Saturday, July 8, 2023 |
| First pitch: | 1:10 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Sportsnet, Bally Sports Detroit |
Starting pitchers
Kevin Gausman (7-4, 3.04 ERA): Gausman lasted just five innings in his last start on July 2 but held the Red Sox to five hits and two earned runs while striking out seven. The right-hander faced the Tigers earlier this season on April 12, completing eight innings while allowing five hits and three earned runs to go with 11 strikeouts.
Matt Manning (2-1, 4.84 ERA): Manning will make just his fifth start of the year for Detroit after suffering a foot injury that kept him out for more than two months. He was shaky in his last start, allowing five hits and four earned runs in five innings of work against the Rockies on July 2.
