Seattle Mariners vs. Toronto Blue Jays: Odds, Prediction
Sports Interaction has listed a total of 7.5 runs for Friday night’s opener.
Mariners vs. Jays Betting Analysis
While it might be hard to think about a playoff race in mid-April in the 162-game Major League Baseball regular season, it’s quite possible that the Mariners and Blue Jays will be competing against one another for an AL Wild-Card spot. Seattle is -115 to reach the postseason and Toronto +195.
Every active MLB franchise has appeared in at least one World Series except Seattle. That’s probably not going to change this year unless the team finally trades away one of its surplus of good starting pitchers to a club for a bat. Once again, mega-talented outfielder and former AL Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez has little protection around him.
But this was the same story last year. The Mariners have finished with a winning record in each of the past four seasons but only made the playoffs once. That was in 2022 when Seattle swept Toronto in the Wild-Card series but then was swept in the ALDS by Houston. Dan Wilson, a former Seattle catcher and a Hall of Famer for the franchise, is in his first full season as manager for the Mariners. He took over for the fired Scott Servais down the stretch in 2024.
Toronto won the season series last year 4-2, including a 2-1 mark at T-Mobile Park. It was the first time the Jays won a series there since 2018.
Seattle Mariners
Seattle is not quite whole as starting outfielder Victor Robles, fire-balling reliever Matt Brash and stellar young starting pitcher George Kirby are all on the injured list. Robles is an excellent defender who was hurt making a tremendous catch on April 6 and could miss three months with his shoulder problem. Brash missed all of 2024 following Tommy John surgery but could be back late this month. The hope is for Kirby to be ready by next month. The Mariners opened this week winning two of three in Cincinnati after a wild 11-7 win in 10 innings on Thursday afternoon. The Seattle bullpen is not in good shape for Friday in terms of key guys likely available, so that’s a huge Toronto edge. It was originally thought excellent young righty Bryan Woo (2-0,. 2.84 ERA) would start Thursday but he gets the call Friday. The 25-year-old has gone at least six innings in all three starts with a WHIP of 0.95. Woo’s lone career start vs. Toronto was at home in his 2023 rookie season and he took the loss, allowing four runs over six. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a two-run homer off him.
Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto took two of three at home vs. Atlanta to open this week capped by a 3-1 win Wednesday before the day off Thursday, which will help reset the bullpen after closer Jeff Hoffman was needed Wednesday. He has been lights out at 2-0 with a 1.74 ERA and four saves. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his first homer of the season in the victory. “Hopefully that gets him going,” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider of the homer. “He’s been close. He’s been swinging the bat really well.” George Springer didn’t start once in the series due to a swollen left wrist but did end up playing right field in the ninth inning so that bodes well for his return Friday. Righty Bowden Francis (1-2, 3.71 ERA) is scheduled on the mound. He was quite good his first two starts in 2025 but roughed up a bit last time out in Baltimore, allowing five runs (three earned) over 5.2 innings. Home runs and walks have been a problem thus far with four and seven allowed, respectively. Friday will be Francis’ first career look at Seattle, and that unfamiliarity is often a benefit for a pitcher the first time through the lineup. Toronto is 3-1-2 in series play so far and 2-0-1 at home.
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