The Blue Jays and Minnesota Twins wrap up their regular-season series at Rogers Centre this weekend with a three-game set.

Toronto is a -129 favourite on the MLB odds for Friday’s opener.

Betting Analysis

These teams played three in the Twin Cities from May 26-28 and Toronto won the two low-scoring games (3-1 and 3-0) and Minnesota the high-scoring one (9-7). Bo Bichette had a monster series, going 7-for-13 with two homers, a triple, six RBIs and two run scored. George Springer was 5-for-12 with three doubles and three runs. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was 1-for-13 with four Ks.

Willie Castro was 4-for-10 in the series for Minnesota with two homers, three RBIs and three runs scored. Rookie second baseman Edouard Julien was 3-for-10 with two doubles, a homer and two runs scored but has since been sent down. All-Star outfielder Byron Buxton was 1-for-14 with six Ks. He landed on the injured list earlier this week with a left rib contusion. Outfielder Trevor Larnach was activated from the injured list in a corresponding move.

The Twins have won 10 of the past 13 as the road team in the series.

Minnesota Twins

We mentioned above that the Twins are currently without All-Star outfielder Byron Buxton due to injury. Starting second baseman and usual leadoff hitter Jorge Polanco recently returned from the injured list himself but was pulled from Thursday’s loss at Tampa Bay (Twins were swept) with a leg injury, so he’s possibly not available at least Friday. It’s ace right-hander and AL Cy Young candidate Sonny Gray (4-1, 2.15 ERA) on the mound, and Gray could be ticketed for his first All-Star Game. He hasn’t allowed more than three earned in a start all season but missed the Jays earlier. Gray is 1-0 with a 2.88 ERA on the road. He has pitched 75.1 career innings vs. the Jays and is 4-4 with a 2.99 ERA. He took a no-decision against them last year in the Twin Cities and hasn’t beaten Toronto since Sept. 23, 2017, when he was with the Yankees. George Springer has seen him the most of any Jays batter, going 5-for-23 with a homer and five walks. Matt Chapman is 2-for-5 with a homer and three walks. The Twins are 8-10-2 in series play and 2-7-1 on the road. They are 2-7 in their past nine series openers.

Toronto Blue Jays

It is too late for Toronto to apply for realignment this year? The Jays are 30-13 against teams outside of the AL East after taking three of four at home to open this week vs. Houston but 6-15 inside the toughest division by far in the majors. After homering for a second game in a row Thursday, Bo Bichette leads the majors in hits (89) and total bases (144), while ranking first in the AL in batting average (.331). Lefty Yusei Kikuchi (6-2, 4.40 ERA) is scheduled to take the mound. He missed the Twins in the earlier series and allowed two runs and four hits over five innings last time out in a no-decision at the Mets. Kikuchi has been much better than last year but now hasn’t gone more than five innings in five straight starts – so the bullpen better be ready. Kikuchi is 3-1 with a 3.55 ERA in five home starts. He had a 3.32 ERA in 21.2 career innings vs. the Twins and was roughed up by them last year at Rogers Centre (4 IP, 4 ER). Minnesota shortstop Carlos Correa, who homered Thursday for the team, truly kills Kikuchi career at 9-for-18 with two doubles and a triple. The Jays love Fridays: 8-1 in their past nine.

MLB Prediction: Who Will Win Twins vs. Blue Jays?