The Toronto Blue Jays are back in action Friday night when they host the Colorado Rockies for the first contest of a three-game series at Rogers Centre.
Toronto came oh so close to sweeping its last three-game series with Seattle, but the Mariners erupted for five runs in the 10th inning Wednesday to salvage the final game of the series. Regardless, the Blue Jays picked up their first series win of the season and have some momentum heading into this set with the lowly Rockies.
Bet on Rockies vs. Blue Jays
COL +205
TOR -244
It looks like it’s going to be a long year for the Rockies, who have dropped four consecutive series to begin the new campaign and carry a dismal 3-10 record into play Friday.
Let’s take a look at the best available game odds for this matchup on Friday:
Rockies vs. Blue Jays best odds
| Rockies Moneyline Odds | +220 @ bet365 |
| Blue Jays Moneyline Odds | -239 @ Pinnacle |
| Runline Odds | Blue Jays -1.5 (-107) @ Pinnacle Rockies +1.5 (+100) @ bet365 |
| Over/Under | Over 7.5 runs (-125) @ theScore Bet Under 8 runs (-104) @ Pinnacle |
| Time/Date | April 12, 7:07 p.m. ET |
| TV | Broadcast: Sportsnet |
Betting Colorado Rockies (3-10 SU, 6-7 ATS, 8-5 o/u)
Pitching, once again, is a major concern for the Rockies this season. Though it’s a small sample size, they already have the worst team ERA (6.57), WHIP (1.78), and K/9 (7.22) marks in the league while allowing opponents to hit a lofty .297 against them. The pitching staff has coughed up 16 home runs through 13 games, and Colorado relievers have a miserable 6.52 ERA and they’ve walked a league-high 38 batters.
Offensively, the Rockies rank in the middle of the pack in most statistical categories: home runs (17th), team batting average (13th), OPS (15th), and runs per game (17th). Infielder Ryan McMahon (.383/.464/.553 slash line) and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar (.333/.396/.542) have been doing the bulk of the damage, combining for four home runs and 15 RBIs.
One advantage the Rockies may have in this one is their familiarity with Toronto starting pitcher Kevin Gausman, who pitched five seasons in the National League before signing with the Blue Jays. Every player on Colorado’s roster has at least one at-bat against him except Michael Toglia.
Betting Toronto Blue Jays (6-7 SU, 6-7 ATS, 6-7 o/u)
Toronto looked like it might be on the verge of an offensive breakout after putting up five runs in consecutive games against Seattle, but the bats went silent again Wednesday when the team was held to six hits and one run by Logan Gilbert and a pair of Seattle relievers.
The Blue Jays are averaging just 3.6 runs per game (24th in the majors) through 13 games while posting a team batting average of .212 (25th), a .344 slugging percentage (24th), and an on-base percentage of .308 (19th). Their 21 long balls rank them 21st in the majors.
On a more positive note, the Jays should be getting some reinforcements shortly: Catcher Danny Jansen (wrist) is rehabbing with Triple-A Buffalo and appears very close to returning to the lineup; relievers Jordan Romano (elbow) and Erik Swanson (forearm) are also rehabbing in the minors and should be rejoining the big team shortly; right-hander Alek Manoah (shoulder) will pitch Saturday in the minors as he continues to work his way back into action; Cuban pitcher Yariel Rodriguez could be officially called up as early as Saturday, giving the Jays even more options out of the bullpen.
Cavan Biggio over 0.5 hits
-160
Probable pitchers
Colorado: RHP Ryan Feltner (0-1 3.27 ERA, 11.45 K/9, 1.00 WHIP)
Feltner dazzled last time out, striking out a career-high 10 batters over six innings of one-run ball against the Tampa Bay Rays. The righty persevered through some harsh conditions in that start as the winds were blowing out in the high altitude at Coors Field and the game-time temperature was around the freezing mark. Feltner ranks in the 83rd percentile in offspeed run value, according to Baseball Savant, and he induces more ground balls (75th percentile) than the average pitcher with the heavy use of his slider (42%), changeup (12%), and sinker (6%). His four-seam fastball also plays well with an average velocity of 95 mph.
Toronto: RHP Kevin Gausman (0-1, 9.53 ERA, 9.53 K/9, 1.41 WHIP)
Gausman didn’t make it out of the second inning last time out against the New York Yankees, surrendering five earned runs and two walks on just 51 pitches. His velocity was way down in the outing, with his fastball averaging a dip of 3.9 mph when compared to his first start of the new season in which he tossed 4 1/3 innings of one-run ball while striking out six Rays. Gausman dealt with shoulder issues this spring so you have to wonder if he’s fully healthy. Don’t expect him to throw more than 90 pitches in this one as he continues to try and ramp up his workload after missing several spring training starts.
Weather
Forecasts are calling for temperatures around 7 C and rain on Friday night, so this will very likely be an indoor ballgame in Toronto.
MLB betting trends
- The Blue Jays have been favourites in four games this season and won three (75%) of those contests.
- The Blue Jays have hit the first five innings (F5) team total under in 18 of their past 26 games.
- The Rockies have only hit the moneyline in 13 of their past 59 road games.
MLB player prop trends
- Cavan Biggio will take a six-game hitting streak into action on Friday. The best odds for him to get a hit can be found at Bet99 (-160).
- Elias Diaz is hot for the Rockies, recording hits in five straight games including three multi-hit performances. He’s -172 to get a hit at NorthStar Bets. Diaz has also driven in at least one run in five straight games and he’s a juicy +175 at Sports Interaction to accomplish the feat again.
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has scored in five consecutive games and is -123 to score a run again at NorthStar Bets.
Rockies vs. Blue Jays predictions
- Feltner over 3.5 strikeouts (-155 at DraftKings): The Rockies right-hander is a relative unknown to many of the hitters in Toronto’s lineup as only three players (Justin Turner, Daulton Varsho, and Daniel Vogelbach) have stepped into the box against him, and they’ve only gone a combined 1-for-9. Coming off a career-best 10-strikeout performance last time out, Feltner should bring some serious confidence to the mound and mow down at least four Blue Jays.
- First five innings under 4.5 runs (-115 at bet365): This is a really good spot for Gausman to shake off his early struggles and put together a quality start against a mediocre offensive team like Colorado. Feltner, who is beaming with confidence and boasts the element of surprise, should also hold Toronto’s bats at bay early in the game. This should be a low-scoring affair until both of these struggling bullpens get handed the ball after the fifth inning.
