Washington Nationals vs Toronto Blue Jays Prediction 5-4-24 Picks

The Toronto Blue Jays and the Washington Nationals meet Saturday in MLB action from Nationals Park. Here’s a Washington Nationals vs Toronto Blue Jays prediction. This will be the second installment in a three-Game series. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for the Game.

Toronto Blue Jays Betting Preview

The Blue Jays played a three-game set versus the Kansas City Royals this week. Toronto was able to win the opener of that series 6-5, but lost the other two 4-1 and 6-1. On Friday versus the Nationals, the Jays blew a 3-0 lead in an eventual loss 9-3. Starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi finished on 6.0 innings, one earned, six hits and one walk alongside seven Ks.

In their Saturday starting pitcher slot, the Blue Jays will send out Kevin Gausman. This year in his six starts Gausman is 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA and 23 Ks in 28.0 innings. Gausman has a career record of 89-94 with a 3.85 ERA in 304 games (265 starts).

Washington Nationals Betting Preview

Over on the Nationals’ side, they took on the Texas Rangers this week. Washington managed a 1-0 win on Wednesday but otherwise lost 6-0 and 7-1 in the other pair. In the Friday Game versus the Jays, the Nationals scored four runs in both the seventh and eighth innings to finish off the win. Patrick Corbin gave up the three earned in 6.0 innings on six hits and two walks.

It’ll be Jake Irvin in the starting pitcher role for the Nationals on Saturday. This year Irvin is 2-2 with a 4.28 ERA in six starts. Irvin has 26 Ks in 33.2 total innings. Over his career, Irvin is 5-9 with a 4.54 ERA in 30 starts. The Nats will face the Orioles following this series.

Blue Jays vs Nationals Injury Notes

Blue Jays RHP Yariel Rodriguez (thoracic spine iNFLaMMAtion) hit the injured list on April 30. It’s similar to an issue Rodriguez had in Spring Training, which delayed Rodriguez’s exhibition season. The expected return is still sometime in mid-May.

Why the Washington Nationals will win

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Jake Irvin Record this season: 2-2 ERA: 4.28
• The underdogs have won eight of the Blue Jays’ last nine games at Nationals Park.
• The Blue Jays have lost each of their last four games as road favorites.
• The Nationals have covered the run line in 14 of their last 15 day games against American League opponents that held a losing record.
• The Blue Jays have failed to cover the run line in nine of their last 10 games.
• The Nationals have led after 5 innings in each of their last six day games against opponents that held a losing record.
• The Blue Jays have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last four Saturday day games as road favorites.

Why the Toronto Blue Jays will win

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Kevin Gausman Record this season: 1-3 ERA: 4.50
• The Blue Jays have won each of their last six day games against NL East opponents.
• The Nationals have lost five of their last six games at Nationals Park following a win.
• The Nationals have failed to cover the run line in nine of their last 10 games as home underdogs following a win.
• The Blue Jays have covered the run line in five of their last six day games against National League opponents following a loss.
• The Nationals have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four games against AL East opponents.
• The Nationals have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last four games against AL East opponents.

Washington Nationals vs Toronto Blue Jays Prediction

I’ll lean toward the Blue Jays. Toronto should be set up well with Gausman on the mound. He’s given up just two earned over his last three starts in 18.2 total innings. Gausman is just 1-1 in that time, however. As for Irvin, he struggled against the Dodgers on April 24 (4.2 innings; six earned) but has 12.0 combined innings with just two earned in two of his last three starts combined.

On Friday the Blue Jays coughed up 12 team hits in a rough defensive effort late. Erik Swanson couldn’t get anything going in relief (0.0 innings; three earned; two hits; one walk) and the bats weren’t much help after the second inning. I do like Toronto to bounce back in Saturday’s matchup, but I’ll probably stay away.