In spite of their sub-.500 record, the Blue Jays (75-77) remain within striking distance of the playoffs. The Guardians hold a two-game advantage for the American League’s final wild card spot. That makes every game over the next two weeks crucial for Toronto’s chances at a postseason berth. Can Canada’s team get it done this afternoon against the visiting Tigers (72-79)?
The Blue Jays are favorites (-137) over the Tigers; the over/under is set at 8.5 runs. Below, I’ve laid out my preview, prediction, and best bet for Wednesday’s showdown between Detroit and Toronto on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Tigers vs. Blue Jays pick, best bet today
- Tigers ML (+114): Scherzer’s struggles, especially at home, are impossible to ignore. As for Montero, his command of the strike zone could keep an undisciplined Toronto lineup off balance. At +114, Detroit deserves heavy consideration from bettors this afternoon.
Tigers vs. Blue Jays prediction, preview
Detroit’s rotation has remained respectable without Tarik Skubal, due in large part to Wednesday’s starter. Keider Montero gets the nod this afternoon for the visitors, making his 31st appearance of the season. Over 147.0 innings pitched, he’s recorded a 3.55 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 98 strikeouts. Granted, the Venezuelan has hit a bit of a rough patch recently. He’s allowed eight earned runs over his previous eight innings of work. Regardless, he remains one of the league’s most precise hurlers. A 91st percentile walk rate (5.7%) and 2.1 BB/9 ratio place Montero in elite company.
Despite some improvement over the past month, this Blue Jays offense isn’t the most intimidating. They’re averaging an MLB-worst 4.04 runs per game. When playing at home, that number drops down to just 3.95. During their previous ten contests, the team has scored the league’s seventh-fewest runs (39). To make matters worse, Toronto averages the fewest walks per game in the American League (2.82). As previously mentioned, Montero does an excellent job at avoiding free passes. A contact-heavy lineup that doesn’t work the count or hit many homers? The Jays will likely need to string together two or three hits just to get one run.
Max Scherzer takes the mound for the defending American League champs. To say 2026 has been rough is underselling it. The three-time Cy Young winner has had a prolific career, but he’s a shell of his former self. Over 67.2 innings pitched (15 starts), the right-hander has accounted for a 6.38 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 51 strikeouts (6.8 K/9). During his last time out, the veteran coughed up six runs over five innings to Baltimore. When pitching at home, Scherzer is responsible for a dismal 6.75 ERA. He sits within the 15th percentile or worse in whiff rate (20.1%), strikeout rate (17.3%) and ground ball rate (33.2%). Homers have been an issue as well; Mad Max is on the hook for a 1.9 HR/9 ratio.
Detroit, despite its lackluster record, has plenty of talented pieces. That’s especially true on offense, where the team has scored the 13th-most runs in baseball (682). The Tigers are averaging the league’s seventh-most runs per game on the road as well (4.62). A .726 OPS against right-handed pitching qualifies as the league’s 12th-best mark. Detroit ranks ninth in barrel rate (8.2%) and second in launch angle (16.1°). Against a soft-tossing Scherzer on Wednesday, this lineup is capable of crushing a few balls at Rogers Centre.
Scherzer, despite his name value, is the clearly inferior pitcher heading into today’s matchup. His struggles at home only make things worse for a Toronto club that doesn’t offer much run support. As for Montero, his stellar command of the strike zone should prevent any big innings for the Blue Jays. As plus money underdogs, the Tigers make plenty of sense in this one.
More MLB Content & Betting Picks
- MLB DFS Picks Today: Top DraftKings Targets, Values for Wednesday 9/16/26
- Best Home Run Props for Wednesday 9/16/26
Tail all of today’s MLB action in the DKN Betting Group here.
