Odds and Bets: Toronto Argonauts Show Their Might vs Alouettes

Toronto Argonauts vs Montreal Alouettes

Friday Night Football is from La Belle Province this week when the defending Grey Cup champions Toronto Argonauts take their undefeated record to Montreal to play the Alouettes. The clubs last met in November at BMO Field with a trip to the championship game on the line. A brilliant start to the season for the Argos and a mediocre one for the Als has pegged Toronto as a -6.0 favourite.

This has the potential to be a very defensive matchup. The Argonauts have only conceded 69 points in three games and the Alouettes only 76 points in four games. Chad Kelly and Cody Fajardo will have their hands full against defences that play the pass quite well. The season is young, but this feels like an opportunity for Montreal to make a statement against a bitter rival and an undefeated team. The question is will they? The Argonauts have only played three games, but they look like a hungry defending champion.

Best Bet: Toronto Argonauts on the moneyline

Miami Marlins vs Baltimore Orioles

It’s a showdown in Maryland between two of the surprise clubs of 2023 when the Miami Marlins visit the Baltimore Orioles for a weekend series. The Floridian squad is an impressive 53-39, good for second in the NL East, whereas the Orioles are second in the AL East with a 54-35 record. Of note, despite their strong record, the Marlins have a negative run differential of -5.

Miami sends its worst starting pitcher to the mound, Sandy Alcantara (3-7, 4.72 ERA, 60 ER). Baltimore goes with Dean Kremer, who last won in New York against the Yankees before the All-Star break. Sparks should fly with Luis Arraez and Austin Hays stepping up to the plate. If the Orioles can continue the momentum they built just before the pause, they should be able to take care of business.

Best Bet: Orioles on the moneyline

Chicago Fire vs Toronto FC

Just when it felt safe to get out into the heat, Chicago catches fire. The Illinois-based club has won four of five, including a midweek match versus the suddenly flailing CF Montreal. Speaking of flailing, that’s what Toronto FC has done all season. Things are so bad at BMO Field the organization brought in Argonauts legend Michael “Pinball” Clemons for a motivational meeting with the players earlier this week. They visit Chicago on Saturday night.

Toronto played last Saturday and put up a decent fight against Western Conference-leading St. Louis, but fell 1-0. Nobody on Toronto’s roster has scored more than three goals. As losers of five straight they’ve also been outscored 11-1. Terry Dunfield has inherited a discombobulated group from former manager Bob Bradley. The way things have gone for Toronto FC this season, they’ll have to play an excellent game to collect all three points, but they simply haven’t demonstrated an ability to do that.

Best Bet: Chicago Fire to win