<p>The Toronto Blue Jays will open a seven-game homestand at Rogers Centre on Thursday night when they welcome the Athletics for the opener of a four-game set.</p>
<p>Toronto got back on track by taking two of three from the Rangers in Texas earlier this week after getting swept by the Rays in Tampa. Following a 2-4 road trip, the Blue Jays now return home to Rogers Centre, where they are 16-12 straight up and 18-10 on the runline this season.</p>
<p>After a very strong start to the season, the Athletics are in a free fall, dropping 13 of their last 14 games. They&#8217;re coming off a 5-3 loss to the Houston Astros on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Let&#8217;s take a look at the game odds for Thursday&#8217;s series opener between the Athletics and Blue Jays courtesy of <a href="https://www.on.bet365.ca/olp/open-account?affiliate=365_03431249&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_source=139656&amp;utm_campaign=365_03431249">bet365</a>.</p>
<h2>Athletics vs. Blue Jays odds</h2>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%;">Athletics moneyline odds</td>
<td style="width: 50%;">+140</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%;">Blue Jays moneyline odds</td>
<td style="width: 50%;">-165</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%;">Runline odds</td>
<td style="width: 50%;">Blue Jays -1.5 (+125), Athletics +1.5 (-150)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%;">Game total</td>
<td style="width: 50%;">Over 8.5 runs (+100), Under 8.5 (-120)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%;">Date/Time</td>
<td style="width: 50%;">May 29, 7:07 p.m. ET</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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<h2>About the Athletics (23-33 SU, 26-30 ATS, 29-23-4 o/u)</h2>
<p>On May 1, the Athletics were sitting in a playoff spot with a 17-15 record despite a minus-25 run differential, but things have taken a turn for the worse recently.</p>
<p>Pitching is mostly to blame for the team&#8217;s struggles, as the staff has a combined 5.39 ERA while allowing an average of 5.79 runs per game this season. Opponents have launched 80 homers off A&#8217;s pitchers, the second most in the majors, and have walked 217 times through 56 games, also the second most in the big leagues.</p>
<p>Offensively, the A&#8217;s rank in the middle of the pack in most statistical categories, averaging 4.20 runs per game (17th). They&#8217;ve smashed 69 homers to this point, which ranks eighth in the majors.</p>
<h2>About the Blue Jays (27-28 SU, 33-22 ATS, 25-29-1 o/u)</h2>
<p>The Blue Jays have scored two runs or less in six straight games, but this is a perfect opportunity to snap out of their current funk and feast on the weak pitching of the Athletics.</p>
<p>Bo Bichette was scratched from the starting lineup on Wednesday due to a tight back, but he made an impactful pinch-hitting appearance in the ninth inning, blasting a two-run home run in the ninth inning that proved to be the difference in the 2-0 Toronto victory. Bettors will want to monitor his status leading up to the first pitch in this game, as it wouldn&#8217;t be surprising if he gets a day off in this spot.</p>
<p>Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also extended his career-best on-base streak to 28 games on Wednesday with two singles and a walk. It&#8217;s currently the longest streak in the majors.</p>
<h2>Probable starting pitchers</h2>
<p><strong>Athletics:</strong> LHP Jacob Lopez (0-2, 2.57 ERA, 10.93 K/9)</p>
<p>Lopez has appeared in five games for the Athletics and will be making his third start. He was sensational against a very good Philadelphia Phillies team in his last start, tossing seven innings of one-run ball while striking out eight. The southpaw only averages 90.6 mph on his fastball, which he throws roughly 50% of the time, but he does have lots of movement on the pitch and locates it well. His funky cross-body delivery gives him above-average extension and can be deceptive.</p>
<p><strong>Toronto:</strong> RHP Jose Berrios (1-2, 4.22 ERA, 7.88 K/9)</p>
<p>Berrios hasn&#8217;t picked up a win since April 7, but he has been a reliable innings-eater for the Blue Jays once again this season. He&#8217;s been solid across his last two starts, allowing five earned runs over 12 innings to the Rays and Detroit Tigers. His advanced metrics aren&#8217;t very impressive at all, but the veteran knows how to navigate a lineup in order to keep his team in the game. His slurve, which he throws roughly 27% of the time, has been by far his best pitch, holding opposing batters to a .183 average and .236 xBA this season.</p>
<h2>Notable injuries</h2>
<p>First baseman Nick Kurtz (hip), second baseman Zack Gelof (ribs), and third baseman Gio Urshela (hamstring) are notably on the injured list for the Athletics.</p>
<p>Pitchers Ryan Burr (shoulder), Erik Swanson (forearm), Nick Sandlin (lat), Yimi Garcia (shoulder), and Max Scherzer (thumb) are all on the injured list for the Blue Jays. Infielder Andres Gimenez (quad) and catcher Tyler Heineman (concussion) are also on the IL. As previously mentioned, Bichette is nursing an ailing back and could also sit out Thursday or possibly DH.</p>
<h2>Weather</h2>
<p>Forecasts are calling for cool temperatures around 15 C this evening in Toronto under clear skies. It&#8217;s likely not warm enough to open the retractable roof, but it is possible this game is played outdoors.</p>
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<h2>Athletics vs. Blue Jays betting trends</h2>
<ul>
<li>The under is 5-1 in Toronto&#8217;s last six games.</li>
<li>The Athletics are a respectable 14-14 SU and 15-13 ATS on the road this season.</li>
<li>The Blue Jays have hit the team total under in 24 of their last 37 games.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Athletics vs. Blue Jays player prop trends</h2>
<ul>
<li>Berrios has recorded 19 outs or more in just two of his 11 starts this season, averaging 17.5 per game in that span. He&#8217;s -182 to record under 18.5 outs on Thursday.</li>
<li>Athletics outfielder Lawrence Butler has recorded over 1.5 total bases in eight of his last nine games and is +115 to do so again against the Blue Jays. He&#8217;s 2-for-6 with a home run in his career against Berrios.</li>
<li>Blue Jays outfielder George Springer has recorded under 1.5 hits + runs + RBIs in 13 of his last 14 games and is -120 to go under that mark.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Athletics vs. Blue Jays best bet</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Jacob Wilson over 1.5 hits: +205 for one unit (best odds @ NorthStar Bets)</strong>. Wilson is on an absolute tear at the plate, slashing .387/.462/.581 this month and .440/.500/.760 over the last seven days. He&#8217;s also recorded multi-hit games in six of his last 10, 10 of his last 20, and 22 of 53 (42%) this season, which means we&#8217;re getting tremendous value here at +205 odds (32.7% implied odds). Wilson doesn&#8217;t have any previous at-bats against Berrios, but he shouldn&#8217;t have any issues against Toronto&#8217;s veteran righty, who coughs up an average of 5.5 hits per start. Wilson ranks in the 99th percentile in squared-up rate (40.7%) and the 100th percentile in strikeout rate (only 5.4%) in MLB this season, so this is a good spot to take advantage of this mispriced line on a multi-hit effort. Most other online sportsbooks have this player prop listed somewhere between +150 and +180 odds.</li>
</ul>


Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Jose Berrios (17) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays in the fourth inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

The Toronto Blue Jays will open a seven-game homestand at Rogers Centre on Thursday night when they welcome the Athletics for the opener of a four-game set.

Toronto got back on track by taking two of three from the Rangers in Texas earlier this week after getting swept by the Rays in Tampa. Following a 2-4 road trip, the Blue Jays now return home to Rogers Centre, where they are 16-12 straight up and 18-10 on the runline this season.

After a very strong start to the season, the Athletics are in a free fall, dropping 13 of their last 14 games. They're coming off a 5-3 loss to the Houston Astros on Wednesday.

Let's take a look at the game odds for Thursday's series opener between the Athletics and Blue Jays courtesy of <a href="https://www.on.bet365.ca/olp/open-account?affiliate=365_03431249&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_source=139656&amp;utm_campaign=365_03431249">bet365</a>.
<h2>Athletics vs. Blue Jays odds</h2>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%;">Athletics moneyline odds</td>
<td style="width: 50%;">+140</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%;">Blue Jays moneyline odds</td>
<td style="width: 50%;">-165</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%;">Runline odds</td>
<td style="width: 50%;">Blue Jays -1.5 (+125), Athletics +1.5 (-150)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%;">Game total</td>
<td style="width: 50%;">Over 8.5 runs (+100), Under 8.5 (-120)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%;">Date/Time</td>
<td style="width: 50%;">May 29, 7:07 p.m. ET</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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<h2>About the Athletics (23-33 SU, 26-30 ATS, 29-23-4 o/u)</h2>
On May 1, the Athletics were sitting in a playoff spot with a 17-15 record despite a minus-25 run differential, but things have taken a turn for the worse recently.

Pitching is mostly to blame for the team's struggles, as the staff has a combined 5.39 ERA while allowing an average of 5.79 runs per game this season. Opponents have launched 80 homers off A's pitchers, the second most in the majors, and have walked 217 times through 56 games, also the second most in the big leagues.

Offensively, the A's rank in the middle of the pack in most statistical categories, averaging 4.20 runs per game (17th). They've smashed 69 homers to this point, which ranks eighth in the majors.
<h2>About the Blue Jays (27-28 SU, 33-22 ATS, 25-29-1 o/u)</h2>
The Blue Jays have scored two runs or less in six straight games, but this is a perfect opportunity to snap out of their current funk and feast on the weak pitching of the Athletics.

Bo Bichette was scratched from the starting lineup on Wednesday due to a tight back, but he made an impactful pinch-hitting appearance in the ninth inning, blasting a two-run home run in the ninth inning that proved to be the difference in the 2-0 Toronto victory. Bettors will want to monitor his status leading up to the first pitch in this game, as it wouldn't be surprising if he gets a day off in this spot.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also extended his career-best on-base streak to 28 games on Wednesday with two singles and a walk. It's currently the longest streak in the majors.
<h2>Probable starting pitchers</h2>
<strong>Athletics:</strong> LHP Jacob Lopez (0-2, 2.57 ERA, 10.93 K/9)

Lopez has appeared in five games for the Athletics and will be making his third start. He was sensational against a very good Philadelphia Phillies team in his last start, tossing seven innings of one-run ball while striking out eight. The southpaw only averages 90.6 mph on his fastball, which he throws roughly 50% of the time, but he does have lots of movement on the pitch and locates it well. His funky cross-body delivery gives him above-average extension and can be deceptive.

<strong>Toronto:</strong> RHP Jose Berrios (1-2, 4.22 ERA, 7.88 K/9)

Berrios hasn't picked up a win since April 7, but he has been a reliable innings-eater for the Blue Jays once again this season. He's been solid across his last two starts, allowing five earned runs over 12 innings to the Rays and Detroit Tigers. His advanced metrics aren't very impressive at all, but the veteran knows how to navigate a lineup in order to keep his team in the game. His slurve, which he throws roughly 27% of the time, has been by far his best pitch, holding opposing batters to a .183 average and .236 xBA this season.
<h2>Notable injuries</h2>
First baseman Nick Kurtz (hip), second baseman Zack Gelof (ribs), and third baseman Gio Urshela (hamstring) are notably on the injured list for the Athletics.

Pitchers Ryan Burr (shoulder), Erik Swanson (forearm), Nick Sandlin (lat), Yimi Garcia (shoulder), and Max Scherzer (thumb) are all on the injured list for the Blue Jays. Infielder Andres Gimenez (quad) and catcher Tyler Heineman (concussion) are also on the IL. As previously mentioned, Bichette is nursing an ailing back and could also sit out Thursday or possibly DH.
<h2>Weather</h2>
Forecasts are calling for cool temperatures around 15 C this evening in Toronto under clear skies. It's likely not warm enough to open the retractable roof, but it is possible this game is played outdoors.
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<h2>Athletics vs. Blue Jays betting trends</h2>
<ul>
 	<li>The under is 5-1 in Toronto's last six games.</li>
 	<li>The Athletics are a respectable 14-14 SU and 15-13 ATS on the road this season.</li>
 	<li>The Blue Jays have hit the team total under in 24 of their last 37 games.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Athletics vs. Blue Jays player prop trends</h2>
<ul>
 	<li>Berrios has recorded 19 outs or more in just two of his 11 starts this season, averaging 17.5 per game in that span. He's -182 to record under 18.5 outs on Thursday.</li>
 	<li>Athletics outfielder Lawrence Butler has recorded over 1.5 total bases in eight of his last nine games and is +115 to do so again against the Blue Jays. He's 2-for-6 with a home run in his career against Berrios.</li>
 	<li>Blue Jays outfielder George Springer has recorded under 1.5 hits + runs + RBIs in 13 of his last 14 games and is -120 to go under that mark.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Athletics vs. Blue Jays best bet</h2>
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Jacob Wilson over 1.5 hits: +205 for one unit (best odds @ NorthStar Bets)</strong>. Wilson is on an absolute tear at the plate, slashing .387/.462/.581 this month and .440/.500/.760 over the last seven days. He's also recorded multi-hit games in six of his last 10, 10 of his last 20, and 22 of 53 (42%) this season, which means we're getting tremendous value here at +205 odds (32.7% implied odds). Wilson doesn't have any previous at-bats against Berrios, but he shouldn't have any issues against Toronto's veteran righty, who coughs up an average of 5.5 hits per start. Wilson ranks in the 99th percentile in squared-up rate (40.7%) and the 100th percentile in strikeout rate (only 5.4%) in MLB this season, so this is a good spot to take advantage of this mispriced line on a multi-hit effort. Most other online sportsbooks have this player prop listed somewhere between +150 and +180 odds.</li>
</ul>

MLB betting preview (May 29): Athletics vs. Blue Jays predictions

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