Just because a game is between two of the most disappointing teams in the sport, it doesn’t mean it can’t be fun.
This afternoon at 3:45 p.m. ET, the Blue Jays and the Giants will play a rubber match of their three-game series at Oracle Park. More importantly, Dylan Cease will be squaring-off with Logan Webb. How does a lil’ matinee pitchers’ duel sound to everyone?
Let’s preview this interleague clash and make a couple picks on the DraftKings Sportsbook.
Blue Jays vs. Giants prediction, preview
Dylan Cease was brought in by Toronto this offseason to be the final piece of a World Series contender. Things haven’t really turned out that way for the franchise, but it hasn’t been Cease’s fault. The right-hander has been one of the best arms in the American League, pitching to a 2.79 ERA and a 2.27 FIP across 16 starts and 90.1 innings. Cease’s 36.7% strikeout rate also ranks in the 99th percentile of baseball. The reward for such an amazing half-season? How about being named an All-Star for the first-time in his career? If that wasn’t enough, with the Yankees’ Cam Schlittler scheduled to start this weekend, things might be lining up for Cease to get the start for the AL in the Midsummer Classic. We shall see how it all plays out, but Cease could make John Schneider’s decision a lot easier with another elite outing on Wednesday in Southern California.
Then there’s Webb, the reigning NL Pitcher of the Month for June. The veteran RHP’s title defense in July didn’t get off to a great start with Webb allowing 11 hits and seven earned runs last Friday, yet that contest was at Coors Field, so you can probably give the 29-year-old a pass. In his five outings prior to that altitude assisted mess, Webb was brilliant, allowing just three earned runs over 38.0 innings of work. That translates out to a 0.71 ERA and a 0.61 WHIP. Still, I think it’s fair to say that we’ve seen a little regression from Webb since a sterling 2025 campaign. His strikeout rate is back down to 20.4%, while his 50.9% ground ball rate is the lowest we’ve seen it since all the way back in 2019 — Webb’s first taste of the MLB level. He remains the Giants’ ace and a very good pitcher, but he’s certainly had better seasons.
With all that said, Webb may dominate this afternoon, as it’s difficult to imagine a softer opponent for a pitcher than the Blue Jays at the moment. Yes, Toronto broke out with nine runs in Tuesday’s much-needed victory, but that was after scoring three total runs over a four-game span. Over the past 30 days, the Jays rank dead-last in expected wOBA (.273), 29th in OBP (.285) and 27th in wRC+ (82). It’s a stretch where $500 million man Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is slashing .200/.255/.267 with a 47 wRC+. It’s simply hard to fathom Toronto turning their season around without Vladdy getting very, very hot very, very soon.
Blue Jays vs. Giants pick, best bet
Best Bet: NRFI (-165)
The Jays have the league’s lowest expected wOBA across the past 30 days (.273), while Dylan Cease sports a 1.85 ERA in his first two trips through an opposing lineup this season. Seems like the formula for a NRFI to me.
Strong Lean: Dylan Cease Over 17.5 Outs Recorded (-144)
Cease has only accomplished this twice in his last seven starts, but the Giants feel like a perfect matchup for the sometimes wild RHP. To wit, San Francisco ranks sixth in swing rate (48.9%) and dead-last in walk rate (6.4%). If you’re not drawing walks off Cease, he’s in the driver’s seat.
