MLB betting preview (Aug. 29): Brewers vs. Blue Jays predictions

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Shane Bieber (57) throws a pitch against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park.

Photo credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Aug 29, 2025, 13:00 EDTUpdated: Aug 29, 2025, 11:56 EDT

The Toronto Blue Jays will open a three-game interleague series with the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Rogers Centre.

Toronto will be seeking a third consecutive series win after taking two of three games from the Minnesota Twins earlier this week, but it won’t be easy against the team with the best record in baseball.

Milwaukee dropped two of three games at home to the Arizona Diamondbacks earlier this week and has lost three consecutive series.

Let’s take a look at the game odds for Friday’s series opener between the Brewers and Blue Jays, courtesy of bet365.

Brewers vs. Blue Jays odds

Brewers moneyline odds	+115
Blue Jays moneyline odds	-135
Runline odds	Blue Jays -1.5 (+165), Brewers +1.5 (-200)
Game total	Over 7.5 runs (-115), Under 7.5 (-105)
Date/time	Aug. 29, 7:07 p.m. ET

About the Brewers (83-52 SU, 76-59 ATS, 64-67-4 o/u)

Despite their recent struggles, the Brewers still hold a hearty 6 1/2-game lead over the Chicago Cubs for the top spot in the National League Central and enjoy a 5 1/2-game advantage over the Philadelphia Phillies for the best record in the NL. They have a 93% chance of winning the division, an 89.5% chance of clinching a first-round bye in the playoffs, and a 7.7% chance of winning the World Series, according to FanGraphs.

The Brewers’ ascent to the top of the overall standings is surprising given the number of unheralded names on their roster, but they’ve been getting it done on both sides of the ball all season long. They rank third in the majors in runs scored per game (5.1) and third in runs allowed per game (3.9).

Additionally, they rank second in team batting average (.258), on-base percentage (.332), and stolen bases (140). Their 3.63 staff ERA ranks third in the big leagues.

Milwaukee ranks first in the majors with a +159 run differential.

About the Blue Jays (78-56 SU, 77-57 ATS, 74-55-5 o/u)

The Blue Jays enter this series with a 3 1/2-game advantage over the Boston Red Sox for the top spot in the American League East Division and a half-game lead over the Detroit Tigers for the best record in the AL. FanGraphs is giving them a 70.5% chance of winning the division, a 66.7% chance of clinching a first-round playoff bye, and a 9% chance of winning the World Series.

Toronto is just 5-5 in its last 10 games, which have all been played against opponents currently not in a playoff spot (Minnesota, Miami, Pittsburgh, and Texas), and it needed to stage a late rally to prevail 9-8 over the Twins on Wednesday to get to .500 in that span.

The Blue Jays will have a rest advantage in this matchup with Milwaukee after having Thursday off, while the Brewers battled the Diamondbacks before travelling to Toronto.

Probable starting pitchers

Milwaukee: RHP Freddy Peralta (15-5, 2.68 ERA, 9.75 K/9)

Peralta is making a late NL Cy Young Award push with his recent stretch of dominant starts. He’s held the opposition scoreless over his last three outings and owns a sparkling 0.41 ERA across four August starts while holding the opposition to a paltry .133 batting average. However, control has been an issue for him this season, with his 9.4% walk rate ranking in just the 28th percentile. He issued four free passes the last time he took the hill against the San Francisco Giants.

Toronto: RHP Shane Bieber (1-0, 1.50 ERA, 13.50 K/9)

Bieber’s Toronto debut couldn’t have gone much better last Friday, as he held the Miami Marlins to one run on two hits while collecting nine strikeouts over six innings. He threw 87 pitches in that start, which means the Blue Jays will likely be comfortable with him throwing 90 or more on Friday. The 2020 American League Cy Young Award winner will face a much stiffer test against a potent Brewers lineup than the light-hitting Marlins on Friday night.

Notable injuries

Pitcher Bowden Francis (shoulder), outfielder Anthony Santander (shoulder), pitcher Yimi Garcia (elbow), and pitcher Alek Manoah (elbow) are on the injured list for Toronto. Infielder Ernie Clement (hand) and catcher Alejandro Kirk (hand) will be game-time decisions and are considered day-to-day.

Bettors will want to monitor any developments on Friday concerning first baseman Rhys Hoskins (thumb) and outfielder Jackson Chourio (hamstring) as they’re getting close to being activated off Milwaukee’s IL after rehab assignments in the minors. They’re key cogs in Milwaukee’s lineup and could provide a massive boost if they’re active on Friday. Closer Trevor Megill (elbow) is also on the IL, which is a devastating blow for the back of the team’s bullpen.

Weather

Forecasts are calling for temperatures around 16 °C with clear skies on Friday night in Toronto, which means the retractable roof could be closed due to cooler weather. Winds will blow in from left field at 12 mph if the roof is open.

Brewers vs. Blue Jays betting trends

The over is 9-2-1 in Toronto’s last 12 games.
The Blue Jays own the best home record on the runline (41-25) in the AL.
Toronto has the best over record (74-55-5) in the majors.
The Blue Jays are 27-15 in interleague play this season.

Brewers vs. Blue Jays player prop trends

Peralta has struck out six or more batters in eight of his last 10 starts and 14 of his last 20. He’s -105 to record over 5.5 strikeouts.
Peralta has allowed two earned runs or less in eight of his last 10 starts and eight of 27 this season. He’s -170 to record under 2.5 earned runs.
Bo Bichette has hit safely in 12 straight games and is -235 to extend that streak.
Brice Turang will take an 11-game hitting streak into action Friday and is -165 to extend that streak.
Bichette has exceeded 1.5 hits + runs + RBIs in 12 straight games and is -120 to extend that streak.

Brewers vs. Blue Jays best bet

Brewers moneyline: +117 for one unit (best odds @ Pinnacle). Getting plus money on the best team in baseball with their top starting pitcher on the mound is too good to pass up in this spot. Additionally, the Brewers should be bolstered by the anticipated returns of Chourio and Hoskins from injury ahead of this series, although bettors should wait for the official news of their activations from the team before placing their bets. The Brewers should draw first blood in this highly anticipated series between two MLB heavyweights.