The Toronto Blue Jays are rolling into this series, armed with a potent offense led by Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Their pitching staff, anchored by Bowden Francis, has been locked in at fourth in the MLB with a stellar 3.36 ERA. Meanwhile, the Mariners, riding a solid stretch of wins, are still fighting inconsistency at the plate, relying heavily (and too much) on power from Cal Raleigh and Randy Arozarena. Below, I’ve got my preview, prediction, and best bet for tonight’s Friday baseball game between the Blue Jays and the Mariners.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
Blue Jays vs. Mariners prediction, preview
The Toronto Blue Jays are looking to extend their momentum as they welcome the Seattle Mariners to Rogers Centre tonight, and there’s no denying the advantage they have playing in their home park. Bo Bichette is swinging a scorching bat, leading the charge with a .305 average and showing zero signs of slowing down. His ability to get on base is invaluable, and the Blue Jays need him to keep getting things started. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. finally found his power stroke with his first home run of the season, but it’s more than just the big names getting it done. George Springer’s .436 OBP and .604 slugging percentage are key contributions from the top of the lineup, and this offense thrives when they get contributions from top to bottom.
On the mound, Bowden Francis has been nothing short of impressive. With a 3.36 team ERA—ranking fourth in MLB—he’s been consistently shutting down opposing offenses. His ability to keep runners off base and avoid big innings is something Seattle will have to contend with. Toronto’s pitching staff as a whole has been solid, which makes it even more of a task for the Mariners, who are still floundering a bit at the plate.
The Mariners come into this one on the back of a solid 6-1 stretch, fueled by Randy Arozarena and Cal Raleigh, the latter leading the team with eight home runs. Arozarena’s .313 average over the last five games is a red flag for the Blue Jays, especially with his ability to create power. Bryan Woo, Seattle’s rising star, enters this game with a strong 2.84 ERA. But while he’s been stellar this season, his success against this Blue Jays lineup remains to be seen. He hasn’t faced the Jays yet, and their high-contact approach—ranked third in the league for fewest strikeouts—could be a challenge for Woo to handle.
Mariners vs. Blue Jays pick, best bet
The Mariners may be strong on the mound, but their offense leaves a lot to be desired. Despite hitting the ball out of the park with some power, their team batting average ranks 24th in the league. They’re a team that lives and dies by the long ball, and Francis is more than capable of keeping the damage to a minimum. Seattle’s recent struggles on the road, combined with their tendency to rely too heavily on power, make this matchup even more difficult.
Toronto’s pitching depth, paired with the recent strong form from their bats, gives them a distinct advantage tonight. With Woo having his first real challenge against a lineup as deep as the Blue Jays, it’s going to be tough for the Mariners to keep up. Francis will do just enough to stifle the Mariners’ power surge, and with Bichette, Guerrero, and Springer leading the way, this is the Blue Jays’ game to win.
Best bet: Blue Jays (-120) vs. Mariners
All smiles at the Dome tonight; tail it with me in the DKN Betting Group here!
