Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Mets: Odds, Prediction
The Toronto Blue Jays open a three-game series at the New York Mets on Friday by facing one of the best pitchers of his era in three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander. New York is a -135 favourite on the MLB odds.
Betting Analysis
The Mets had an interesting offseason as they watched two-time NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom sign with the Texas Rangers. New York replaced him with three-time Cy Young Award winner and future first-ballot Hall of Famer Justin Verlander. The Mets were able to re-sign All-Star closer Edwin Diaz to the biggest deal a reliever ever received, but he suffered a season-ending injury in the World Baseball Classic – Diaz still hopes to return in September.
New York had agreed to terms as well with All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa but let him walk when something appeared on his physical the team didn’t like. Steve Cohen is the richest owner in the sport, so if the Mets need something around the Trade Deadline, money won’t be an object.
The Mets are 22-13 all-time vs. the Jays in interleague play. They last played in 2021. New York doesn’t visit Toronto this season.
Toronto Blue Jays
Note that weather might be an issue Friday in New York. Jays first baseman/DH Brandon Belt was out of the starting lineup for a second straight game Thursday vs. Milwaukee, while catcher Alejandro Kirk got the day off behind the plate. Toronto won 3-1. Blue Jays batters didn’t strike out, walk, or hit a home run in Wednesday’s 4-2 loss, only the third time in team history that’s happened, and the first since 1979. By comparison. Toronto did all three in the first inning Thursday. It’s former Mets right-hander Chris Bassitt (5-4, 3.80 ERA) on the mound Friday. Since three straight scoreless outings, he has allowed 13 runs (nine earned) and 16 hits over 10.1 innings in his past two, both losses and both on the road. He’s 2-1 with a 2.16 ERA at home and 3-3 with a 5.45 ERA on the road. Bassitt has never faced the Mets, where he spent the 2022 season and set career highs in wins (15), starts (30), quality starts (19), innings pitched (181.2), and strikeouts (167). Francisco Lindor is 3-for-9 off him with a homer. Daniel Vogelbach is 2-for-6 with a homer. The Jays are 19-8 in their past 27 vs. the NL East.
New York Mets
New York finished a home series sweep of the Phillies on Thursday with a 4-2 win. The Mets are 17-3 (.850) when scoring first this season (didn’t Thursday) and since the start of 2022 are 98-19 when doing so. That .838 winning percentage is the best in the majors. The Mets have been outscored 45-13 in the first inning this year. It’s three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander (2-2, 4.80 ERA) on the mound Friday, weather permitting. It’s only his sixth start as he didn’t debut this year until May 4 due to a spring injury. He’s 1-1 with a 4.85 ERA in two home starts. The future Hall of Famer is 4-6 with a 4.29 ERA in 15 career starts vs. Toronto. He last faced the Jays in April 2022 in Houston and allowed three runs over six. Matt Chapman is 1-for-20 career off him with 10 strikeouts. Kevin Kiermaier is 1-for-15 with seven strikeouts. George Springer is 5-for-13 off Verlander with a homer. The Mets are 5-0 in their past five vs. the AL.
TOR
NYM