Atlanta Braves vs. Toronto Blue Jays: Odds, Prediction
Toronto is a -115 favourite on the MLB odds with the total set at 8.5 runs.
Betting Analysis
Now is a great time for Toronto to be facing Atlanta as the Braves are down arguably two of their three most important players in former National League MVP and outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. and right-handed pitcher Spencer Strider. In addition, big offseason acquisition Jurickson Profar, an outfielder, is serving an 80-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
Thus, it’s likely smart to disregard the Braves’ 4-11 record and last-place standing in the NL East as they should be World Series contenders at full strength. They are -165 to make the playoffs for an eighth straight year and +135 for no. To win the NL East, Atlanta is +280 behind Philadelphia (+130) and the New York Mets (+165).
Acuna Jr. tore his ACL last season and should return sometime next month. He was historically good in his 2023 MVP season. Strider missed all of last season following elbow surgery but is very close to a return and reportedly could be Wednesday’s series finale.
These clubs met for a three-game series last year in Atlanta and the Braves won two. They met at Rogers Centre for three in 2023, and the Jays swept.
Atlanta Braves
The Braves failed on their fourth try this season to win back-to-back games on Sunday, falling 8-3 in Tampa to lose two of three in that series. Atlanta has a single series win thus far and isn’t hitting much with a team average of .233. The Blue Jays catch another break in that they miss Atlanta’s Chris Sale, the 2024 NL Cy Young Award winner who pitched Sunday in Tampa.
It’s Grant Holmes (0-1, 4.00 ERA) on the hill Monday. He’s 29 but only in his second big-league season and tends to swing between the bullpen and rotation depending on the team’s needs. Holmes was solid last time out with four scoreless innings vs. Philadelphia in a no-decision. Walks can be an issue as he had four against the Phillies, and it took him 104 pitches to get through those four innings. Holmes threw two-thirds of an inning at home last September against the Blue Jays, allowing three runs and five hits.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Jays snapped at two-game skid with Sunday’s 7-6 win in 10 innings in Baltimore after trailing 6-3 entering the eighth. George Springer was removed with “left wrist discomfort,” according to the team, in the fifth inning so he’s unlikely for Monday — but X-rays were negative. Closer Jeff Hoffman most likely won’t be available Monday, either, after throwing two scoreless innings of relief Sunday in earning the win.
Friday’s postponed game in Baltimore shifted Toronto’s rotation around a bit so instead of Kevin Gausman going in Monday’s opener, he’s now scheduled for Tuesday and it’s journeyman lefty Easton Lucas (2-0, 0.00 ERA) starting Monday. The 28-year-old had made 14 career MLB appearances entering this season but all in relief. He has started both appearances in 2025 and not allowed a run with just four hits and 11 strikeouts over 10.1 innings. Obviously that’s not sustainable but a terrific early season surprise. This will mark Lucas’ first career look at the Braves.
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