The Toronto Blue Jays and the Milwaukee Brewers will continue their three-game series as the two squads clash at Miller Park on Saturday. It's time to continue our MLB odds coverage with a Blue Jays-Brewers prediction and pick.
The Blue Jays defeated the Brewers 9-4 on Friday. They got rolling early when Matt Chapman cleared the bases with an RBI double, giving the Blue Jays a 3-0 lead in the second inning. Next, Lourdes Guriel Jr. followed with an RBI double, making it 4-0 for Toronto. It was 5-1 in the seventh inning when Cavan Biggio smacked a solo shot on a 3-2 pitch. The home run was his second in 2022 and gave the Jays a 6-1 lead. Then, Alejandro Kirk followed by lining a laser down the left-field line for a two-run home run. The home run gave the Jays an 8-1 lead and they never surrendered the lead as they cruised to a 9-4 victory.
Alek Manoah was brilliant, allowing two earned runs on five hits through 6 2/3 innings of work. Alternatively, Adrian Houser struggled, allowing five earned runs on nine hits through six innings of work. The Blue Jays are 40-30 and second in the AL East. Meanwhile, the Brewers are 40-33 and tied for first in the NL Central.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Blue Jays-Brewers odds:
MLB odds: Blue Jays-Brewers Odds
Blue Jays: +1.5 (-150)
Brewers: -1.5 (+125)
Over: 7.5 (-118)
Under: 7.5 (-104)
*Watch MLB Games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)
Why The Blue Jays Could Cover The Spread
The Blue Jays will go with Yusei Kikuchi on the hill. Kikuchi is 2-3 with a 4.94 ERA in 2022. Also, he lasted four innings in his last start, allowing three earned runs on three hits with five strikeouts. Kikuchi has struggled in 2022, not going longer than five innings since May 16. Additionally, he has only gone past five innings twice all year. His bullpen behind him is not the greatest, as the Jays rank 25th in bullpen ERA.
The Jays have the offense to support Kikuchi. Toronto ranks fourth in batting average, fifth in on-base percentage, 10th in runs scored, fifth in home runs, and third in slugging percentage. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is their best weapon, as he is hitting .266 with 17 home runs, 43 RBIs, and 39 runs scored. Likewise, he went 2 for 5 with an RBI in last night's contest. George Springer has also delivered at the plate, as he is batting .260 with 13 home runs, 34 RBIs, and 40 runs scored. However, Springer has been out with an elbow injury for a few days and remains day-to-day. Chapman came through last night but otherwise has struggled in limited action against Milwaukee. He is batting .125 with a home run and six RBIs over four games against the Brewers.
The Blue Jays will cover the spread if Kikuchi can give them five or more innings and contain the top bats in the Milwaukee lineup. Likewise, the Jays must continue to pound the baseball. They must strike early, as they will face one of the better pitchers in the game.
Why The Brewers Could Cover The Spread
The Brewers will go with Corbin Burnes on the hill. Burnes is 5-4 with a 2.31 ERA. He went seven innings in his last start, not allowing a run on two hits with 10 strikeouts. Burnes has had an up-and-down season as he has thrown two straight excellent starts after two flops where he did not reach five innings. Additionally, he has not gotten the run support in some of those losses.
The Brewers rank 24th in batting average, 19th in on-base percentage, 12th in runs scored, fourth in home runs, and 13th in slugging percentage. Milwaukee has dealt with ongoing injuries and has not had a full lineup often this year. Rowdy Tellez is batting .244 with 11 home runs, 41 RBIs, and 25 runs scored. Additionally, Willy Adames has been a boom-or-bust player. Adames has 15 home runs with 37 RBIs but is also batting .205. None of the regular starters in the lineup are hitting over .260. Thus, Milwaukee must find a way to rectify that.
The Brewers rank 10th in bullpen ERA. If Milwaukee can get a lead and go deeper into the game, they likely will hold onto it. Their relievers get the job done and are bound to bounce back from a bad performance from last night.
The Brewers will cover the spread if Burnes gives them six to seven quality innings. Likewise, Milwaukee covers if the offense can muster up some hits and force Kikuchi from the game early.
Final Blue Jays-Brewers Prediction & Pick
The Blue Jays and Brewers are both playoff contenders. They likely will play in the postseason if they continue their current trajectories. However, Kikuchi is not a good pitcher, and Burnes is one of the best. Thus, expect the Brewers to bounce back in this outing and cover the spread with little issues.
Final Blue Jays-Brewers Prediction & Pick: Brewers: -1.5 (+125)
Follow Us
Subscribe