The Minnesota Twins and the Toronto Blue Jays meet Friday in MLB action from Rogers Centre. Here’s a Toronto Blue Jays vs Minnesota Twins prediction. This will be the first installment in a three-game series. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for the game.
Minnesota Twins Betting Preview
The Twins took on the Seattle Mariners in a four-game series this week. Minnesota lost 10-6 on Tuesday but otherwise won 3-1 and 6-3 in the first three games. On Thursday in the finale, the Twins bagged five runs in the first inning on the way to an 11-1 blowout victory.
In the starting pitcher role for the Twins on Friday it’ll be Joe Ryan. This year Ryan is 1-2 with a 3.54 ERA in seven starts. He’s got 46 Ks in 40.2 innings. Ryan is 27-21 in his MLB career with a 4.00 ERA in 68 starts total.
Toronto Blue Jays Betting Preview
Over on the Blue Jays’ side, they played a couple of games versus the Philadelphia Phillies this week. Toronto was blown out 10-1 in the Tuesday matchup, as starting pitcher Jose Berrios coughed up eight earned in 3.2 innings. The Jays did better in a 5-3 win on Wednesday. Kevin Kiermaier posted three hits and two RBI in that victory.
Yusei Kikuchi will take the starting pitcher role for the Jays on Friday. So far this year Kikuchi is 2-2 with a 2.72 ERA in seven starts. Kikuchi has 43 Ks in 39.2 innings. Over his career, Kikuchi is 34-39 with a 4.60 ERA in 141 games (129 starts).
Twins vs Blue Jays Injury Notes
Twins RP Daniel Duarte (60-day Injured List) underwent UCL revision surgery on his right elbow on Tuesday.
Blue Jays RP Yimi Garcia (back) didn’t make an appearance in Wednesday’s win over Philadelphia, but may be available for Friday’s game.
Why the Toronto Blue Jays will win
- The Blue Jays have won each of their last six home games against AL Central opponents following a road win.
- The Twins have lost each of their last four road games against AL East opponents.
- The Twins have failed to cover the run line in nine of their last 10 road games against AL East opponents that held a losing record.
- The Blue Jays have covered the run line each of their last six Friday games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Twins have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last four road games against AL East opponents that held a losing record.
Why the Minnesota Twins will win
- The Twins have won each of their last 12 night games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Blue Jays have lost each of their last eight games against American League opponents following a road win.
- The Twins have covered the run line each of their last nine games at Rogers Centre against teams that held a losing record.
- The Blue Jays have failed to cover the run line each of their last eight home games against AL Central opponents that held a winning record.
- The Twins have led after 3 innings in three of their last four games as underdogs against American League opponents.
- The Twins have led after 5 innings in each of their last six night games against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.
Toronto Blue Jays vs Minnesota Twins Prediction
I’ll probably try the Jays. Toronto should get a quality start out of Kikuchi if all goes well. He gave up four earned on nine hits in 6.0 innings versus the Dodgers on April 27, but did much better in his last outing. Kikuchi managed 6.0 innings, with one earned against the Nationals on May 3. As for Ryan, he’s given up eight earned in 18.0 innings over his last three starts.
As for the Twins, on Thursday, they posted 11 team hits in a great offensive outing. Manuel Margot bagged five RBI and a run all by himself, and Pablo Lopez had 6.1 innings with one earned and 10 Ks in a nice start. Minnesota will be able to put up a good fight here if Ryan pitches well.