Blue Jays Odds – Improved hitting may not make a difference
Toronto Blue Jays odds are loaded against the lone Canadian MLB team, as they look to improve on last year’s fourth-place showing. Last year, the pitching was phenomenal, but the offense was one of the worst in the American League. This year, thanks to a number of injuries, not even the pitching staff might be able to save Toronto's sports betting lines.
Blue Jays odds: +3000 to win the World Series
- Snider, Lind bring youth to anemic lineup
- After Halladay, Jays’ rotation is hurting
- AL East is just too stacked against Jays
Much to the horror of Blue Jays betting fans, Toronto was fourth-worst in runs scored in the American League with 714, and a lot of that had to do with injuries to Vernon Wells, who regressed terribly from a monster 2007. In fact, most of the Blue Jays’ numbers were down from the year before, which put their pitchers in an awful position.
Wells and Alex Rios are being counted on to return to form and more production out of Scott Rolen is being hoped for as well. The key to the Toronto lineup, however, could be the kids. Adam Lind and Travis Snider showed promise in 2008, especially the 21-year-old Snider. The duo will probably flip-flop between left field and designated hitter.
If you’re going to bet on the Blue Jays, do it when Roy Halladay is on the mound. “Doc” finished second to Cleveland’s Cliff Lee in Cy Young voting in 2008 and he led the league in complete games. Jesse Litsch looks to build on his solid campaign but, after the top two, the Toronto rotation is very green. Starters Shaun Marcum and Dustin McGowan could miss the entire season, while closer B.J. Ryan’s velocity was way down in spring training.
David Purcey got some good experience last year, but Ricky Romero and Scott Richmond will get their first real taste of big-league action. As for Ryan, he still has the job, but Brandon League and Scott Downs could step in if his velocity doesn’t come back.
MLB odds aren’t backing the Blue Jays very much and, in a division with the Boston Red Sox, a reloaded New York Yankees, and the defending champion Tampa Bay Rays, just getting out of the AL East with a .500 record would probably be an achievement.
The Toronto offense should be better than it was last year, but sportsbook players should be concerned about the pitching, especially with such a young rotation. Outside of Halladay and Litsch, there is next to no experience in the rotation, but they do have a solid bullpen despite Ryan’s problems. This season could be a reversal of problems from 2008, so don’t expect too much from the Toronto Blue Jays.
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Before his arm flamed out, Dale “Skip” Lalonde was famous for his high-90s heat and power at the plate. He retired young but never turned his back on baseball, earning the nickname “Skip” for his high-school coaching prowess. A true student of the game, he loves crunching the numbers when he handicaps baseball. Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
