Cleveland Guardians vs. Toronto Blue Jays: Odds, Prediction
Toronto opened as a -160 favourite on the MLB odds.
Guardians vs. Jays Aug 25 Betting Analysis
Even though Cleveland is eight games under .500, it still has a shot at the playoffs because the AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins are only six games ahead. Obviously not a good chance and zero at a wild card spot for the Guardians.
It’s likely the last season as skipper for potential future Hall of Famer Terry Francona, who began his playing career with the Montreal Expos. The 64-year-old Francona, who has dealt with health issues in recent years, has essentially hinted this will be it. Francona led the Red Sox to two World Series titles before joining the Guardians in 2013. He has taken the Guardians to six playoff appearances and the AL pennant in 2016.
The Jays and Guardians split four games in Cleveland from Aug. 7-10. Toronto fans may remember George Springer and Manager John Schneider being ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the finale. Springer had a good series, batting .438 with a homer. The Guardians were 2-1 in Toronto last year on the way to winning the season series 5-2.
Cleveland Guardians
The Guardians are a bit of a disadvantage because they had to play two games Thursday at home against the Dodgers, finishing a suspended game from Wednesday and then the scheduled Thursday matchup. Cleveland lost both. The Guardians had a bit of an overhaul at catcher this week, claiming Eric Haase off waivers from Detroit (he debuted Wednesday) and activating Cam Gallagher off the injured list. The one thing the Guardians have been well known for in recent years is developing young pitching, and they have a potentially very good one in rookie right-hander Tanner Bibee (9-3, 3.01). He won’t win AL Rookie of the Year but will get some votes. Bibee dominated the Blue Jays on Aug. 8 in a victory, shutting them out on six hits (all singles, three of them by Whit Merrifield) over seven with zero walks. Bibee has a 2.02 ERA at home compared to 4.04 away.
Toronto Blue Jays
Neither outfielder Kevin Kiermaier nor catcher Alejandro Kirk started Thursday’s series finale in Baltimore but simply for rest as both are healthy. The Blue Jays lost 5-3, and they have to be thrilled to be done with the Orioles as Baltimore utterly dominated the season series 10-3. Toronto did lead 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth Thursday and fell to 45-18 when scoring first this year. Bo Bichette singled in the fourth inning to extend his hitting streak to 11 games. He’s slashing .408/.420/.633 with seven runs scored and seven RBIs in that stretch. Right-hander Chris Bassitt (12-6, 3.92 ERA is on the mound Friday. He hasn’t personally lost since July 31 and got the win last Saturday in Cincinnati, allowing two earned over six. It was Bassitt’s 16th quality start of the year and in seven starts since the All-Star break, he is a 4-1 with a 3.21 ERA. Bassitt missed the Guardians earlier and hasn’t seen them since 2021. Over five career starts against Cleveland, he is 1-2 with a 3.30 ERA in 30 innings. Kole Calhoun is 4-for-12 career off him with two doubles. Myles Straw is 5-for-12.
CLE
TOR