Blue Jays vs Tigers 08/27/21 – Odds and MLB Betting Trends

The prospect of George Springer returning might bode well for the consistently inconsistent Toronto Blue Jays, who regressed the last time that they were on the road. The Blue Jays are -170 away favorites and the Detroit Tigers are +145 home underdogs with a 9.5-run total on the MLB odds for Friday at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com (how the moneyline works).

The Blue Jays are 11-9 in their last 20 games as a road favorite, but only 1-5 in the last six. Twelve of those matchups finished OVER at online sports betting sites. They are also 10-7 in their last 17 road games against AL Central teams. The Tigers are 1-5 in their last six games as an underdog at home. They are 11-9 in their last 20 home games against AL East teams, with the total going UNDER 14 times.

The Blue Jays have a 66-60 record, including a 13-12 record so far in August. Their offense is fifth in runs per game (5.06) and second in OPS (.779). Springer, who has been on the injured list with a mild ankle sprain, took part in baserunning drills and batting practice on Thursday. His 1.040 OPS is the highest of any Toronto batter with at least 50 at-bats this month, followed by Teoscar Hernández (.972) and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (.896).

On the mound, the Blue Jays rank ninth in starting pitcher ERA (3.82) and 14th in reliever ERA (4.07). Since Aug. 1, they have MLB’s 12th-best ERA (3.80).

The Tigers, who are 61-67 overall, are 11-10 so far this month. Their offense is 20th in runs per game (4.34) and 21st in OPS (.706). Robbie Grossman (.888 OPS since Aug. 1), Miguel Cabrera (.840) and Jeimer Candelario (.836) have paced the Tigers’ lineup of late.

On the mound, Detroit ranks 14th in starting pitcher ERA (4.16) and 25th in reliever ERA (4.81). However, the Tigers have the ninth-best ERA  (3.61) so far in August.

Lefthander Steven Matz (10-7, 3.94 ERA, 8.8 strikeouts per nine innings) will start on Friday, opposite Tigers righthander Matt Manning (3-5, 5.91 ERA, 4.9 SO/9). Matz limited the Tigers to one run over six innings in his first career start against them on Aug. 20. His teams are 13-7 over his last 20 away-favorite starts, with seven of the last 12 finishing UNDER. Manning will be facing the Blue Jays for the first time and the Tigers are 3-6 as underdogs when he starts, with the OVER hitting in five out of those nine matchups.

Rookie righthander Alek Manoah (5-2, 3.18 ERA, 10.3 SO/9) will start on Saturday. The Tigers have not formally named their starting pitcher, but righthander Tyler Alexander (2-2, 4.25 ERA, 7.4 SO/9) is a possibility. Manoah, who will be facing Detroit for the first time in his career, has helped the Blue Jays go 4-3 in his last seven starts on the road. The total has gone OVER in three out of the last four. Alexander had his best start of the season at the expense of the Blue Jays on Aug. 20, scattering four hits and one run across seven innings. The Tigers are 4-1 in Alexander’s last five home starts, four of which finished OVER.

Righthander José Berríos (8-7, 3.70 ERA, 9.3 SO/9) will start on Sunday. The Tigers have not named a starting pitcher, but lefthander Matthew Boyd (3-6, 3.44 ERA, 7.1 SO/9) could be ready after making a minor-league rehab start on Aug. 24. Berríos has struggled against Detroit with a 5.96 ERA over 54.1 career innings, and his teams are 4-7 in his last 11 starts on the road. The total has gone OVER in seven of the last nine. Boyd, who has a 4.46 ERA in 34.1 career innings against Toronto, has helped the Tigers go 5-7 in his last 12 starts at home. Five of the last seven have finished UNDER.

The Blue Jays return to Toronto on Monday to host the Baltimore Orioles.