MLB betting preview (July 24): Blue Jays vs. Tigers predictions
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
By Greg Warren
Jul 24, 2025, 13:00 EDTUpdated: Jul 24, 2025, 11:12 EDT
After a 5-1 homestand, the Toronto Blue Jays will open an eight-game road trip in Detroit on Thursday night.
Toronto took two of three from the New York Yankees at Rogers Centre earlier this week and completed a three-game sweep of the San Francisco Giants last weekend to launch itself into a tie for the top spot in the American League with the Houston Astros.
The Tigers, who hold a commanding eight-game lead in the AL Central entering this series, are just 1-9 in their last 10 games. They suffered a disappointing three-game sweep at the hands of the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates earlier this week.
Let’s take a look at the game odds for Thursday’s clash between the Blue Jays and Tigers courtesy of bet365.
Blue Jays vs. Tigers odds
Blue Jays moneyline odds | +110 |
Tigers moneyline odds | -130 |
Runline odds | Tigers -1.5 (+155), Blue Jays +1.5 (-185) |
Game total | Over 8.5 runs (-120), Under 8.5 (+100) |
Date/time | July 24, 6:40 p.m. ET |
About the Blue Jays (60-42 SU, 61-41 ATS, 53-46-3 o/u)
Many thought the All-Star break might cool off the red-hot Jays, but they’ve picked up right where they left off with wins in five of their six games since the Midsummer Classic. Now, they’ll face their longest remaining road trip of the season, with four games scheduled against the Tigers and four against the Orioles in Baltimore.
Toronto is averaging just 3.85 runs per game on the road this season (sixth worst in MLB) while allowing the opposition to score an average of 4.42 runs per game (13th most). However, the Blue Jays boast a 13-7 record in their last 20 road games despite their overall offensive struggles away from Rogers Centre.
About the Tigers (60-43 SU, 51-52 ATS, 51-48-4 o/u)
The Tigers have been one of the top teams in baseball this season, but they own a 1-9 record since July 9 and a 14-18 mark in 32 games since June 14. More troubling, the offence has been limited to two or fewer runs in five of their last six games. In their past 10 games, the Tigers are hitting just .209 with a .595 OPS after posting a .253 with a .751 OPS in their first 93 contests.
Perhaps no one is struggling more at the plate than two-time All-Star Riley Greene, who has batted just .213 with 31 strikeouts in his past 19 games. He was benched for Wednesday’s loss to the Pirates, as he’s on pace for 214 strikeouts this season, which would easily set a franchise record for the most in a season (182 – Cecil Fielder).
Staff ace Tarik Skubal was placed on the paternity list Wednesday, but he is scheduled to return and pitch on Saturday in this series with Toronto.
Probable starting pitchers
Toronto: LHP Eric Lauer (5-2, 2.80 ERA, 9.59 K/9)
Lauer has been absolutely incredible for the Blue Jays all season long, and he has remained consistent through three July starts, allowing two earned runs or less while averaging over a strikeout per inning. He made a start against Detroit back in May, allowing one run on three hits over three innings of work. Toronto won that ballgame, 2-1, thanks to a game-winning single in the ninth inning from Ernie Clement. Reese Olson, who is Thursday’s projected starter for Detroit, also pitched in that May showdown opposite Lauer.
Detroit: RHP Reese Olson (4-3, 2.71 ERA, 8.71 K/9)
Olson has held the opposition scoreless in five of his last nine starts and is pitching at an elite level for the Tigers this season. One of those teams he held scoreless during that span was the Blue Jays, who mustered just one hit over six innings against him in May. Olson relies on his hard sinker and devastating changeup to keep hitters honest, and his metrics on his breaking pitches are also well above league average.
Notable injuries
Outfielder Daulton Varsho (hamstring), outfielder Anthony Santander (shoulder), and infielder Andres Gimenez (ankle) are on the injured list for Toronto. Pitchers Bowden Francis (shoulder) and Yimi Garcia (ankle) are also out for the Blue Jays.
Pitchers Jackson Jobe (elbow), Alex Cobb (hip), Alex Lange (lat), and Jose Urquidy (elbow) are all on the injured list for Detroit. Outfielder Kerry Carpenter is also on the IL with a hamstring issue but is nearing a return over the next few days.
Weather
Forecasts are calling for temperatures around 34 C with a 60% chance of thunderstorms this evening in Detroit. Winds will blow from right field to left field at 16 mph.
Blue Jays vs. Tigers betting trends
- The under is 5-1 in Detroit’s last six games.
- The Blue Jays have hit the team total over in 31 of their last 47 games.
- Detroit is 32-18 straight up at Comerica Park this season.
- The Blue Jays have the best record (61-41) on the runline this season.
Blue Jays vs. Tigers player prop trends
- Lauer has struck out five or more batters in five of his last six starts with a median of 6.5 strikeouts during that span. He’s around -145 to record over 4.5 strikeouts.
- Olson has allowed two earned runs or fewer in one of his last five starts, averaging 1.2 per start during that span. He’s -130 to record under 2.5 earned runs.
- Bo Bichette has recorded over 1.5 total bases in four straight games and seven of his last 10. He’s -110 to extend that streak.
- George Springer has scored at least one run in four straight games and is -110 to extend that streak.
Blue Jays vs. Tigers best bet
- Game total under 8.5 runs: +101 for one unit (best odds @ Pinnacle). The Tigers are struggling mightily at the plate right now, and Olson was dominant against the Blue Jays when he faced them earlier this year. Yes, the hot and humid weather conditions should favour the hitters in this instance, but this still should be a relatively low-scoring game featuring two teams jockeying for top spot in the AL. Both of these teams only used two relievers on Wednesday, so the managers should be comfortable going to the bullpens early and often for the best possible matchups.