Toronto Blue Jays vs. Oakland A’s: Odds, Prediction
This might be the second-to-last trip to Oakland ever for the Jays. They visit there next June for three games and 2024 might be the last year for the Athletics in the city. They are moving to Las Vegas, and while their new stadium there won’t be ready until 2028, the team’s lease at Oakland Coliseum is up after 2024. There is such bad blood between the city/fans and A’s ownership that it seems likely the team will play elsewhere until 2028 after next year (maybe in Vegas at their Triple-A affiliate).
Betting Analysis
Oakland has the worst record and lowest payroll by far in the majors. The A’s aren’t trying to win and won’t until they move. This series might draw less than 20,000 fans total. It’s really a shame considering the city of Oakland already lost the NBA’s Warriors and NFL’s Raiders.
The A’s lost two of three at Rogers Centre from June 23-25. Toronto was 1-2 in Oakland last year.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Jays started this trip winning two of three at Colorado thanks to a 7-5 victory Sunday. Whit Merrifield hit a two-out, go-ahead RBI single in the ninth inning. Spencer Horwitz, a late fill-in for ailing Brandon Belt (belt), added three hits, including his first career home run. Belt is considered day-to-day, while Bo Bichette, Matt Chapman and Danny Jansen are on the injured list. Toronto remains 1.5 games behind Texas and Houston for the final AL Wild Card spot. It’s right-hander Jose Berrios (9-10, 3.70 ERA) on the mound Monday. Toronto has lost his past four, and Berrios has been lousy in three. Over nine career starts vs. Oakland, he is 2-3 with a 3.81 ERA in 52 innings. He beat the A’s on June 24, allowing two earned over six. Seth Brown is 5-for-12 off him with two doubles and a homer.
Oakland Athletics
Oakland swept three games from the visiting Angels over the weekend. Normally that would be a shock but the Halos have waive the white flag. Oakland has won three straight for the second time this season, and it was the third series sweep this year for the A’s (42-95). Closer Trevor May pitched both Saturday and Sunday and thus may not be available here. It’s lefty Ken Waldichuk (2-7, 5.92) starting. He was arguably the worst pitcher in the majors for a while but has improved quite a bit – even though he personally hasn’t won since July 5. He has 14 no-decisions this year, tied for third most in the majors among starters. The only pitcher in Oakland history with more no decisions as a starter is Ron Darling, who had 15 in 1993. Waldichuk is 0-0 with a 23.14 ERA in one career relief appearance against Toronto.
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