2024 MLB Betting Odds and Predictions: Toronto Blue Jays favoured to make third straight postseason appearance
It was another disappointing end to the season for the Toronto Blue Jays last year, but there’s plenty of optimism about 2024 heading into Opening Day on Thursday.
Let’s take a look at some Blue Jays betting odds and what we can expect from Toronto in 2024.
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Playoff odds
The Blue Jays have made an appearance in the American League Wild Card series in three of the last four seasons and they are -145 to reach at least the ALWCS again in 2024. Toronto’s win total has been incredibly consistent over the last three years, finishing with 91 wins in 2021, 92 in 2022 and 89 last year. Their 32 wins in the COVID-shortened 2020 season also put them on pace to finish in the high 80s for wins.
This is largely the same team as last year, so you can likely expect a similar result. Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, Jose Berrios and Yusei Kikuchi should continue to anchor the rotation and Alek Manoah remains a wild card option who could help put the Jays over the top in the AL East if he returns to his 2022 form.
Toronto also boasts a deep batting lineup highlighted by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. George Springer remains a consistent threat as a leadoff hitter and the Jays managed to bolster their depth with the addition of veteran Justin Turner. This team will likely finish with a win total in the high 80s to low 90s, which should be enough to reach the postseason.
Playoff prediction: Toronto ends up in the Wild Card series again (and wins).
AL East odds
The Blue Jays haven’t won the AL East since 2015 in the Jose Bautista-Josh Donaldson era. Donaldson won MVP in 2015 and it was the first 90-plus win season for the franchise since Toronto’s World Series teams in 1992 and 1993.
Baltimore won the AL East last year and the team should be in contention again with a young core that is continuing to develop. The Red Sox are primed to have another dismal year, while the other giant in the division, the Yankees, should challenge Baltimore for the division after adding Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo and Marcus Stroman.
The perennial cheapskate Rays shipped ace pitcher Tyler Glasnow out, so they won’t challenge for the division, although they could play spoiler for the Jays and claim a Wild Card spot.
AL East prediction: Yankees will successfully buy their way to another AL East crown while Jays finish third.
AL pennant odds
The Astros are favoured to win the American League pennant this year, which makes sense given they’ve made seven straight appearances in the ALCS, winning four times. Toronto, on the other hand, hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016 and they haven’t won the pennant since 1993.
There are safer options to take to win the AL pennant like Blue Jays division rivals New York or Baltimore, but remember that a lot of what goes into postseason success is getting hot at the right time. Toronto just needs to make the playoffs to have a fair shot of going on a deep run.
AL pennant prediction: I’m going with the dreaded Yankees to beat Houston in the ALCS. Yes, they’re the top two favourites and I can’t stand either team, but they’re the favourites for a reason.
World Series odds
One of the most disappointing stats if you’re a Blue Jays fan is the fact that neither Guerrero or Bichette was born when Toronto last won a World Series. While there’s plenty of reason to hope to think Guerrero and Bichette will lead the Blue Jays back to the top of the baseball world at some point in the future, it’s tough to believe it will happen this season.
Based on my AL pennant prediction, I’m already stuck taking the Yankees to represent the American League in the World Series, so now it’s down to picking a National League team. Let’s go with the Atlanta Braves led by former Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos. Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley and Sean Murphy are all dangerous hitters, while offseason acquisition Chris Sale has looked great on the mound.
World Series prediction: Atlanta wins their second World Series in four years by beating the Yankees in six games.
