The Twins are -155 favourites on the MLB odds for Friday’s opener.

Jays vs. Twins August 30th Betting Analysis

While the Blue Jays certainly will not be playing postseason baseball, they can have a minor say in perhaps the AL Central and wild-card races this weekend in the Twin Cities as Minnesota is third in the division (3.5 games out of first) and holds the American League’s final wild-card spot. Of course, these teams played in a 2023 AL Wild-Card Series also at Target Field, and the Twins won both to advance but then lost in four in the ALDS. I’d say the LDS is probably the ceiling for this year’s club as well. Just not enough starting pitching with three rookies currently in the rotation. The loss of ace Joe Ryan to injury was crushing, although there’s a chance he could return for the playoffs.

The Twins remain without All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa and former All-Star outfielder Byron Buxton with both on the IL. Both will be back in September but not clear when with Buxton ahead in his rehab from right hip inflammation. Correa was placed on the 10-day IL on July 20 with right plantar fasciitis. 

Toronto hasn’t won the season series with Minnesota since 2021 and lost two of three at home to the Twins from May 10-12. 

Toronto Blue Jays

No doubt this season has been a disappointment for the Jays, but the metamorphosis of Bowden Francis into a top-line starting pitcher of late has clearly been a huge bright spot as he was terrific again Thursday in Boston as Toronto won 2-0 to split the series and seriously hurt the Red Sox’s wild-card chances. Chad Green pitched a perfect ninth inning for the save Thursday and has been excellent himself of late but should be available tonight if need be as he hadn’t pitched previously since Saturday. Outfielder Joey Loperfido left in the seventh inning Thursday after colliding with the Green Monster at Fenway and is day-to-day. It’s righty Kevin Gausman (12-9, 4.10 ERA) on the mound tonight. He dominated the Angels last time out, allowing one run and two hits over seven with 10 strikeouts. Gausman has four quality starts over his last six outings, and he has gone at least seven innings in each of those four. On May 11, Gausman was hammered at Rogers Centre by the Twins, allowing seven runs and 10 hits over three innings yet didn’t suffer the loss as Toronto rallied to win. Gausman has a 6.94 ERA in 12 career starts against Minnesota. The under is 4-2 in the Jays’ past six. 

Minnesota Twins

The Twins, who were off on Thursday, hold the AL’s last wild-card spot by 3.5 games over Boston but are trending the wrong way on a four-game skid – all at home, where Minnesota is 37-29. The team was swept by Atlanta to start this week, the seventh time the Twins have been swept in 2024. The bullpen has been a problem this year as Twins relievers have allowed an MLB-worst 44 per cent of inherited runners to score. It’s righty Pablo Lopez (12-8, 4.26 ERA) on the hill tonight. He tends to run hot and cold and is hot now with back-to-back scoreless outings spanning 13 innings with just 10 hits allowed and 12 strikeouts. Lopez missed the Jays earlier this year and is 1-0 with a 5.59 ERA in two career appearances against them spanning 9.2 innings with 15 strikeouts. Minnesota is 1-8 in its past nine vs. the AL East. 

MLB Prediction: Who Will Win Blue Jays vs. Twins?