With eight games versus the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays, two division rivals, the Toronto Blue Jays had a very busy and significant week. Due to the recent passing of both of those teams by Toronto in the standings, this week was expected to be even more important than usual.
The Blue Jays were still considered favorites to win the AL Division and the World Series despite being behind them in the standings, so the two series were crucial opportunities to confirm that prediction.
With victories over the Red Sox in the first two games of the series, including a walk-off RBI from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the second game, the week got off to a very good start. In the end, the Blue Jays lost the third game of the series. yet it was sufficient to move them up to second place in the AL East, ahead of Boston.
In the AL East, the Yankees are soaring
But the New York Yankees, who have taken over leadership of the division, are far ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays. The second series also got off to a good start with two victories over the Tampa Bay Rays, but Toronto lost the next three games, including both of a doubleheader on Saturday, to complete the week in defeat.
In the end, the Jays managed to perform well enough to tie Boston and edge over Tampa Bay in their division. Despite having an even record, Toronto is viewed as a far greater World Series danger, and its odds at BetMGM Canada, which are the seventh-best in the league but have decreased significantly from last week, are +1400.
At +3000 or longer, Boston and Tampa Bay can both be located. Since the Yankees are so much in the lead, none of them are a serious contender to win the division, but the Blue Jays are +2000, far behind Boston or Tampa Bay, which are each +3000 and +5000.
Pitching is still inconsistent
Pitching had its high points and low points during the week, as is typical. No pitcher best demonstrated this than Kevin Gausman, who despite turning in a stellar 10-strikeout effort to defeat the Red Sox, was forced to abandon his Saturday start against Tampa due to a comebacker to the leg.
Fortunately for Toronto, the results of his X-rays showed that it was simply a contusion. The Blue Jays were unable to handle losing Gausman early in the first game of the doubleheader, and their lack of depth in the pitching staff was revealed as a result of back-to-back defeats.
Yusei Kikuchi, who has been having a lot of difficulty lately, also put up a solid performance, scoring one run in a victory over the Rays. Keep that momentum continuing because Kikuchi and Jose Berrios will be needed to help survive any probable Gausman absence. Even though Alek Manoah lost his start in extra innings, he put forth a strong showing, allowing just two runs over seven innings.
Continues to carry the load on offense
Guerrero led the offensive with a good week, which came as no surprise to anyone. With catcher Alejandro Kirk currently having hit 10 home runs, he is one of only five Blue Jays with double figures in home runs. Kirk is currently one of the league’s breakout performers and has been a big asset to the team. One of the early candidates for MVP and the home run crown was Guerrero.
Kirk leads the Jays in hitting average (.317) and is in the top 10 in the league. Guerrero increased his team’s advantage in RBIs and currently has 53 for the season, which ranks 10th in MLB. Although the offensive had a small hiccup to begin the year, all signs over the past month point to this being a very strong suit. The Jays’ third-best batting average, fifth-most home runs, and fifth-most runs overall in the league are figures that support this claim.
The Jays are developing into the offensive powerhouse that was predicted as the season goes on—a squad that will compete every night but dominate when the pitching comes through. Due to their astronomically high offensive ceiling and World Series odds of +1100, the Blue Jays are deserving of their prominent position. On Okbet sports betting apps, this might be the best wager they ever make.