The Toronto Blue Jays will open a three-game interleague series with the Cardinals in St. Louis on Monday night at Busch Stadium.
Toronto took two of three games from the Twins in Minnesota over the weekend to notch a fourth consecutive series win. It has won 10 of its last 13 games overall.
St. Louis is also riding high after taking two of three from the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend, although it did drop the series finale on Sunday.
Let’s take a look at the game odds for Monday’s series opener between the Blue Jays and Cardinals courtesy of bet365.
Blue Jays vs. Cardinals odds
Blue Jays moneyline odds | -105 |
Cardinals moneyline odds | -115 |
Runline odds | Cardinals -1.5 (+155), Blue Jays +1.5 (-185) |
Game total | Over 8.5 runs (-110), Under 8.5 (-110) |
Date/time | June 9, 7:45 p.m. ET |
About the Blue Jays (35-30 SU, 39-26 ATS, 34-30-1 o/u)
The Blue Jays have jumped into an American League wild-card spot with their recent surge and now have improved +115 odds to make the playoffs as a result. They opened the season in March with long +240 odds to make the postseason, with oddsmakers pegging them to record around 78 wins during the regular season.
After a very slow start to the season offensively, the Blue Jays have the fourth-best OPS in the majors (.775) over the last 30 days. They’ve also smashed 38 home runs in that span, which is also the fourth most in baseball.
Toronto’s pitching has also been solid in the last 30 days, with the staff combining for a 3.56 ERA (10th in the majors in that span) while holding opponents to a .229 batting average (fifth in baseball). However, Blue Jays pitchers are still struggling to keep balls in the park, as their 90 homers allowed is the third most this season behind the Baltimore Orioles and Athletics.
About the Cardinals (36-29 SU, 35-30 ATS, 35-28-2 o/u)
Betting expectations were very low for the Cardinals entering this season, as most online sportsbooks set a season win total of just 76.5 for them with +265 odds to make the playoffs entering the season. But like the Blue Jays, the Cardinals find themselves in the thick of the wild-card race in early June after a surprising 36-29 start.
A relatively weak lineup on paper has flourished to produce 4.6 runs per game, ranking seventh in the majors. Infielder Brendan Donovan leads the team with a .317 batting average, .384 on-base percentage, and 76 hits, and outfielder Lars Nootbaar has shown some breakout potential with a team-leading eight homers to this point.
Cardinals pitchers rank in the middle of the pack in most statistical categories, but they do excel at keeping the ball in the ballpark, as they’ve only surrendered 51 homers to this point, the third least in baseball.
Probable starting pitchers
Toronto: RHP Jose Berrios (2-2, 3.67 ERA, 8.29 K/9)
Berrios has strung together four consecutive quality starts as he continues to be a model of consistency for the Blue Jays. He held the Phillies to just one run on four hits while striking out five on an economical 89 pitches last week. Nothing jumps off the page about Berrios from an analytics perspective, but he knows how to navigate a lineup and bend but not break. He has been slightly prone to the long ball, surrendering 11 homers through 13 starts. Berrios is 3-0 with a 3.16 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 31 1/3 innings in his career against the Cardinals.
St. Louis: RHP Andre Pallante (4-3, 4.91 ERA, 6.00 K/9)
Pallante was bombed for seven runs on seven hits over 4 1/3 innings against the Kansas City Royals the last time he took the ball. However, he hadn’t allowed more than four earned runs in a start prior to his meltdown against the Royals. He ranks in just the sixth percentile in strikeout rate (15.5%), but he’s excellent at inducing ground balls, as he ranks in the 99th percentile in the league (63.6% GB rate).
Notable injuries
Pitchers Ryan Burr (shoulder), Nick Sandlin (lat), Yimi Garcia (shoulder), and Max Scherzer (thumb) are all on the injured list for the Blue Jays. Outfielder Anthony Santander (shoulder) and outfielder Daulton Varsho (hamstring) are also on the shelf.
Outfielder Jordan Walker (wrist) is the only notable player currently on the IL for the Cardinals.
Weather
It should be a pleasant evening for baseball, with forecasts calling for temperatures around 21 C and clear skies. Winds will blow from left field to right field at 10 mph.
Blue Jays vs. Cardinals betting trends
- The Blue Jays went 3-0 against the Cardinals last season.
- The over is 9-1 in Toronto’s last 10 games.
- The over is 8-3 in the Cardinals’ last 11 games.
- Toronto is the best team on the runline in the majors this season (39-26 ATS).
- The Cardinals are 22-11 SU at home this season.
Blue Jays vs. Cardinals player prop trends
- Berrios has recorded 18 outs or more in four straight starts and 14 of his last 20 dating back to last season. He’s -160 to record over 17.5 outs.
- Berrios has allowed under 5.5 hits in five of his last six starts and is -110 to keep it under that number again on Monday.
- Pallante has been tagged for over 2.5 earned runs in three straight starts and seven of his last nine appearances. He’s -115 to allow three earned runs or more.
- George Springer has exceeded 1.5 total bases in four straight games and six of his last 10. He’s +125 to keep that trend rolling.
- Donovan has struck out at least once in six straight games and in eight of his last 10. He’s -115 to strike out over 0.5 times.
- Alejandro Kirk has driven in at least one run in four straight games and seven of his last 10. He’s around +125 to record at least one RBI.
Blue Jays vs. Cardinals best bet
Blue Jays moneyline: +102 for one unit (best odds @ Pinnacle). The Blue Jays are playing some very good all-around baseball right now, and they have a solid edge in the starting pitching matchup in this contest. Back them to win outright at plus money in this spot.