The weekend is almost here, but there’s still several big MLB games set for tonight. Division leaders clash in Detroit when the Blue Jays visit the Tigers. Elsewhere, the Padres attempt to boost their playoff position in a road battle with the competitive Cardinals. As a nightcap, the Angels meet the rival Mariners for a crucial AL West showdown.
Even with just five games on tap, there are plenty of enticing wagers on the board. Before the start of Thursday’s contests, here are two MLB bets to consider on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Blue Jays vs. Tigers under 8.5 runs (+100)
The Blue Jays are riding high, having taken another series from the rival Yankees. Now, the AL East leaders face their toughest test of the season, a four-game set in Detroit. As good as Toronto has been, the Tigers (60-43) have been just as good. Tonight, the home team will send Reese Olson to the mound, making his 12th start of the season. Since returning from a finger injury on July 4th, the right-hander has notched a 1.88 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. On Thursday, the young hurler will face a Toronto lineup with extreme home/away splits. When playing on the road, the Jays are averaging the sixth-fewest runs per game in baseball (3.85).
Detroit enters tonight’s contest in a rut, having gotten swept this week against the last place Pirates. The team’s biggest issue is at the plate; they’ve scored the league’s fifth-fewest runs since July 1st (67). Blue Jays hurler Eric Lauer will hope to keep that trend going on Thursday. Through 61.0 innings of work, the righty has recorded a 2.80 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 65 strikeouts. When he faced the Tigers earlier this season, the 30-year-old tossed three innings while allowing one run. Granted, that’s not a huge sample size. Still, given how bad Detroit’s hitting has looked, it’s easier than ever to trust Lauer. Both of these underrated arms should find a way to keep runs off the board tonight.
Angels -1.5 (+144)
Even with their playoff dreams slowly fading, the Angels have proven to be no pushover. The Halos aren’t great at most things, but they do mash. Los Angeles has clobbered the fourth-most home runs in baseball this season (149). That could make tonight’s matchup difficult for rookie Logan Evans. Over his first ten career outings, the 24-year-old has performed admirably (3.81 ERA, 1.42 WHIP). However, a 4.88 FIP suggests that regression is likely. In addition, the right-hander is a far worse pitcher away from Seattle. During five road starts this season, Evans owns a 5.06 ERA. In his previous three games away from home, he’s surrendered a combined six home runs to opposing batters.
Typically, Los Angeles is at a disadvantage on the mound. That won’t be the case tonight with All-Star Yusei Kikuchi toeing the slab. The offseason signing has been a savior in Orange County, carrying an otherwise mediocre pitching staff. Through 21 appearances in 2025, the Japanese hurler has accounted for a 3.13 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 123 strikeouts. The former Mariners starter has also had immense success against his old team. Kikuchi has allowed just one earned run over 23.1 career outings vs. Seattle (0.39 ERA). Keeping that in mind, it’s impossible not to back the Angels in this one.
