Oakland Athletics vs. Toronto Blue Jays: Odds, Prediction
Toronto is the biggest favourite it has been all season on the MLB odds.
Betting Analysis
Oakland has the worst record in the majors and is in full-blown tank mode this year – yet has had a seven-game winning streak, maybe the most unlikely one in history — and probably a few more seasons as billionaire owner John Fisher refuses to invest big money into team and likely won’t until about a year ahead of a move to Las Vegas.
That hasn’t been finalized with MLB yet, but it’s a formality as the Nevada legislature has approved $380 million (US) in public funding toward a stadium on the Strip. That won’t be ready until 2028, though, so the A’s may have to play at their Triple-A Vegas facility (or somewhere else entirely but almost surely not Oakland) from 2025-27.
Toronto will visit Oakland from Sept. 4-6. The teams split six games last year with the Jays going 2-1 at Rogers Centre.
Oakland Athletics
Minor disadvantage for the A’s as they had to finish a series in Cleveland on Thursday afternoon and then travel, while the Jays were off Thursday. Every big-league team is guaranteed one All-Star – good luck picking the Oakland guy. No batter is even hitting .275 or has reached 14 homers or 40 RBIs. The A’s are last in the majors in many offensive categories. They are 1-14 in games decided by six runs or more this season. It’s righty James Kaprielian (2-6, 6.38 ERA) on the mound Friday. He was pretty solid the past two seasons for Oakland and might be returning to that form of late with a 2.60 ERA in three June starts. On the road this year, he’s 1-2 with a 7.27 ERA. The 29-year-old’s lone start vs. the Jays was last year in Oakland when he allowed a run over six in a no-decision. Matt Chapman has a solo homer off him in two at-bats. The A’s are 14-41 in their past 55 road games.
Toronto Blue Jays
Will Jays shortstop Bo Bichette play Friday? He’s on track for an All-Star appearance and is second in the AL in batting at .317 but missed Wednesday’s series-ending win at Miami with left thumb discomfort. With then Thursday off as well, good chance Bichette is in there. Catcher Alejandro Kirk landed on the IL Monday with a left hand laceration. Danny Jansen is the primary behind the plate with Kirk out. Jays right-hander Chris Bassitt (7-5, 4.16) spent the 2015-2021 seasons with Oakland and was traded to the Mets ahead of last season and then signed in free agency with Toronto this past winter. Bassitt, on the mound Friday, has been bombed for 13 runs and 18 hits over 6.2 innings in his past two outings, but those were at Texas and Baltimore, two places pitchers go to die this year. Bassitt is 3-1 with a 2.18 ERA at home. He has made two career starts vs. Oakland and is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA. The Jays are 5-0 in their past five at home following a road trip of more than seven days.
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