The Toronto Blue Jays (22-26) take on the Detroit Tigers (23-26) Thursday in the opener of a 4-game set at Comerica Park at 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Blue Jays vs. Tigers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Blue Jays won 4-2 last year
The Jays took 2 of 3 from the Chicago White Sox to open the week. They culminated the series with a 9-2 beatdown Wednesday. SS Bo Bichette is starting to come around after a miserable start with the bat. He went 4 for 4 Monday and went 2 for 4 Wednesday with his 3rd homer of the season.
The Tigers were swept by the Kansas City Royals and have dropped 4 straight. Their last win was an 8-3 showing with today’s starter Jack Flaherty on the bump. They scored 3 runs in each game of the KC series and allowed 8+ in each.
Blue Jays at Tigers projected starters
RHP Kevin Gausman vs. RHP Jack Flaherty
Gausman (2-3, 4.89 ERA) makes his 10th start. He has a 1.51 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 9.1 K/9 in 42 1/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 3 ER, 8 H, 1 BB, 6 K Saturday against Tampa Bay Rays
- Last 5 starts vs. Detroit: 1-2, 2.56 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 30 K in 31 2/3 IP
Flaherty (1-3, 3.79 ERA) makes his 10th start. He has a 1.06 WHIP, 1.3 BB/9 and an MLB-leading 11.9 K/9 in 52 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 2 ER, 2 BB, 9 K Saturday against Arizona Diamondbacks
- 2 career starts vs. Toronto: 2-0, 0.82 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 12 K in 11 IP
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Blue Jays at Tigers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:45 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Blue Jays -105 (bet $105 to win $110) | Tigers -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jays -1.5 (+165) | Tigers +1.5 (-200)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Blue Jays at Tigers picks and predictions
Prediction
Blue Jays 5, Tigers 3
Moneyline
The Jays are 7-3 in the last 10 meetings with the Tigers. Gausman’s numbers are nowhere near his mean thanks to 2 implosions. He has been solid on the road with a 3.06 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 4 starts. Flaherty’s numbers are a little inflated due to a revenge dominance against the St. Louis Cardinals with 14 K’s over 6 2/3 shutout IP. He has allowed 2+ ER in 3 straight starts and is starting to walk guys again.
I’ll take the BLUE JAYS -105.
Run line/Against the spread
I’m going JACK FLAHERTY OVER 5.5 K’S (-145) here. He has 6+ K’s in 9 of 10 starts. Enough said.
Over/Under
It’s slated to be 79 degrees with a 7-mph wind blowing out to left-center. The Tigers are 8-2 O/U over their last 10, and Toronto is just 3-7. Toronto’s bats are coming around, and their pitching has slumped to a 21st-ranked 4.30 ERA. They have enough to get it done, but I’m going OVER 7.5 (-115).
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