Washington Nationals vs. Toronto Blue Jays: Odds, Prediction
The rebuilding Washington Nationals make their first visit to Rogers Centre in five years Monday to open a three-game series. Toronto is a -250 favourite on the MLB odds for the opener.
Betting Analysis
Washington won the 2019 World Series on the backs of starting pitchers Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg but will finish with a losing record for a fourth straight season. The future is quite bright, though, because the front office has made some really smart trades topped by Scherzer and Trea Turner to the Dodgers a few years ago and Juan Soto to the Padres last year. That Soto trade might go down as an all-time heist for the Nationals they got so much good young talent.
Look out starting next year as the Nats have been one of MLB’s best teams since early July. Manager Dave Martinez was thought to be on the hot seat entering 2023 but recently got an extension. Strasburg, the former No. 1 overall pick and 2019 World Series MVP, will not be a part of it. Injuries have wrecked his career since and the right-hander will officially retire next month. He has thrown only 528 pitches in the majors since signing a $245 million (US), seven-year contract in December 2019. The Nationals have to pay all that as they were unable (or unwilling to pay the heavy fees) to get insurance on the contract.
These teams last played in 2021 and Washington lost three of four. Toronto’s two “home” games then were in Dunedin. The Nats last visited Rogers Centre in 2018.
Washington Nationals
Washington was trying to finish a sweep of NL wild card contending Miami on Sunday but lost 2-1. Excellent young catcher Keibert Ruiz hasn’t played since last Friday due to taking a foul tip off his mask but is expected back Monday. Outfielder Stone Garrett broke his leg last week at Yankee Stadium. Closer Kyle Finnegan is tied for first in the National League with nine saves in the month of August and is 2-0 with a 2.13 ERA in it. He has 13 saves, five holds and has pitched to a 1.36 ERA (5 ER/33.0 IP) with a .179 opponents’ average in his last 31 appearances overall. Right-hander Josiah Gray (7-10, 3.85) starts on the mound. He gave up just one hit last time out at the Yankees over six but didn’t get a decision. Gray has been much better on the road with 2.73 ERA. His lone start vs. Toronto was in August 2021 in D.C., and Gray allowed two runs over six in a no-decision.
Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto lost for the fourth time in five games Sunday, 10-7 in 11 innings at home to Cleveland, and to make matters worse both Matt Chapman and Bo Bichette left injured. Chapman is dealing with an inflamed finger that cost him some time earlier last week and Bichette is dealing with a tight quad. Closer Jordan Romano may not be available Monday after pitching 1.2 innings Sunday. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. homered and extended his hitting streak to eight. Right-hander Kevin Gausman (9-8, 3.23) starts on the hill, and he’s still very much in the AL Cy Young race. Gausman is 1-3 with a 3.97 ERA in four August starts. He has pitched 11 times previously against Washington, 10 of them starts, and is 6-3 with a 4.77 ERA in 54.2 innings.
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