Toronto Blue Jays vs. St. Louis Cardinals: Odds, Prediction

The Cards are priced as -115 favourites on the MLB odds.

Blue Jays vs. Cardinals Betting Analysis

Runline

Over 91.5 -122
Under 91.5 -109

A reminder that every team in the majors will play the other 29 at least one series this season and going forward, and also that the pitch clock and bigger bases are now in place. Both those are expected to lead to a mini-explosion in stolen-base attempts. The rule where a runner starts on second base in extra innings was kept.

Last season was Oliver Marmol’s first as St. Louis manager, but the Cardinals reached the postseason for the fourth year in a row, getting swept in the wild card series against Philadelphia. Two first-ballot Hall of Famers retired off that Cardinals team in catcher Yadier Molina and DH/first baseman Albert Pujols. Ace Adam Wainwright considered retiring as well but opted for one more year. He’d normally start the opener vs. Toronto but is out injured.

The Blue Jays will be the first AL team ever to open the season in St. Louis in the Cardinals’ rich history. These teams split four meetings last year, each going 1-1 at home.

Toronto Blue Jays

The last time the Jays played a game that counted was Game 2 of their wild card series at home vs. Seattle on Oct. 8, 2022. Toronto blew a seven-run lead and lost 10-9 to be swept. The Jays will look a bit different this season after getting rid of outfielders Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Teoscar Hernandez and bringing in fellow outfielders Daulton Varsho and Kevin Kiermaier, both huge upgrades defensively. Varsho, from Arizona, cost Gurriel and the organization’s top prospect in catcher Gabriel Moreno. The Jays also added power from the left side in signing former Giants first baseman Brandon Belt. It’s Alek Manoah (16-7, 2.24 ERA, 0.99 WHIP in 2022, third in Cy Young voting) on the mound Thursday. He didn’t face the Cards last season and was 7-4 with a 2.42 ERA at home.

St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals’ big offseason move was signing Cubs All-Star catcher Willson Contreras to a five-year deal to replace the retired Yadier Molina. The heart and soul of the lineup remains first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, the 2022 NL MVP, and third baseman Nolan Arenado, a multiple-time All-Star. Both played for the USA in the World Baseball Classic. Arenado suffered a hand injury but is good to go now. Veteran right-hander Miles Mikolas, who recently got a two-year extension, will start Thursday on the mound. The 34-year-old was 12-13 last season with a 3.29 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. He didn’t get a decision in his lone outing vs. the Blue Jays, allowing three runs over 6.2 innings. George Springer is 2-for-4 career off him with a solo homer.