Mariners vs. Blue Jays Betting (May 18): Back Jays to break out brooms vs. Seattle

The Mariners and Blue Jays have always been linked by the fact that they joined the Majors together back in 1977. Since that time both have had some measure of success, but the Blue Jays have to be considered the more successful of the two franchises thanks to World Series wins in 1992 and 1993.

These teams have another more recent link through pitcher Robbie Ray, last year’s AL Cy Young Award winner with Toronto, who moved to Seattle in free agency this offseason.

He is not enjoying the same level of success that he had with the Blue Jays last season but his primary replacement in the rotation, righty Kevin Gausman–tonight’s starting pitcher for Toronto–has looked great in a Blue Jays uniform.

Another thing these teams have in common is getting eliminated from the playoffs on the last weekend of the season a year ago. That really stung and if they want to avoid that fate again, they both have work to do.

Seattle Mariners vs. Toronto Blue Jays Betting Odds and Matchup Information

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Seattle Mariners (16-20, 7-14 road, 4th in the AL West) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (20-17, 12-6 home, 3rd in the AL East)
• Venue & Location: Rogers Centre (Toronto, Canada)
• Date: Wednesday, May 18, 2022
• Time: 7:07 p.m. Eastern Time
• How to Watch Today’s Mariners vs. Blue Jays Game: ROOT SPORTS Northwest (Mariners), Sportsnet (Blue Jays), ESPN+

Mariners vs. Blue Jays Probable Starting Pitching Matchup

• Seattle Mariners: Marco Gonzales (2022: 7 starts, 1-4, 3.38 ERA)
• Toronto Blue Jays: Kevin Gausman (2022: 7 starts, 3-2, 2.40 ERA)

Mariners vs. Blue Jays Odds

Odds are via BetOnline. Odds from our other top reviewed and recommended sportsbooks may also be included in this article.

Moneyline

• Seattle Mariners +200
• Toronto Blue Jays -245

Total

• OVER 8 (-105)
• UNDER 8 (-115)

Run Line

• Seattle Mariners +1.5 (-108)
• Toronto Blue Jays -1.5 (-111)

Mariners in Trouble with Generous Gonzales on the Mound

I have never been a fan of Gonzales, but with his numbers this season, he probably deserves a little better luck than what he has gotten so far. He has always been more crafty than dominant and with 8 homers allowed already, it is going to be dangerous for him to face this team in this environment.

The Rogers Centre can be a launching pad.

On the other side, Gausman has been worth every penny of his big free-agent contract so far this season. He has yet to give up a homer this year and has issued just 2 walks for a sparkling 54-2 ratio.

If the Jays were hitting the ball like they were expected to, he would likely be better than 3-2. The team is 5-2 in his starts

M’s Moves Not Paying Off

When a team comes really close to making the playoffs, the inclination is to make some moves to push it over the edge. Given that Seattle has a long playoff drought they were even more primed to invest hard this offseason.

So in came SP Robbie Ray to lead the rotation and a trio of veteran bats in 2B Adam Frazier, IF Eugenio Suarez, and OF Jesse Winker. All three of those hitters were supposed to jumpstart the offense and as we get close to the quarter pole of the season none have moved the needle for the Mariners.

Seattle is 20th in scoring and that puts pressure on a team that operated on thin margins a year ago.

Where Did the Jays Bats Go?

Toronto is in a very different spot.

They are actually scoring even less than Seattle after a season that saw breakouts from mega prospects 1B Vlad Guerrero Jr. and SS Bo Bichette last season. The offense was supposed to be the least of the concerns for Toronto, but so far they are worst in the Majors in hitting with runners in scoring position, batting under .200.

They have had some injuries but most of their worries are due to lack of performance. Given this is still a very young team you have to wonder how quickly they can right themselves.

When you factor in how bad the bats have been, the Jays’ record is actually not that bad.

Seattle Mariners vs. Toronto Blue Jays Prediction & Best Bets

Mariners vs. Blue Jays Prediction: Blue Jays 7, Mariners 2

Mariners vs. Blue Jays Best Bets: Blue Jays -1.5 (-110 at Bovada Sportsbook) & OVER 8 (+100 at Bovada Sportsbook & BetUS)

While the Jays have been struggling to get the key hit to break open their games, they are still very dangerous with the long ball. They are 10th in the Majors in homers this season, with 39 through 37 games.

With that being a weakness of Gonzales and with the teams playing at the hitter-friendly Rogers Centre, I like the Blue Jays to cruise and get the sweep.

Look for the Jays right heavy lineup to yank a few balls out of the Rogers Centre on the way to a comfortable win.

With how effective Gausman has been all season long it is easy to like him to have success against the Mariners.

The three hitters the Mariners traded for were all in the NL prior to moving to Seattle, so they have past experience against Gausman. Frazier has good numbers against him (.379) but Suarez and Winker are just 3 for 18 in their careers against the righty.

A lot of the rest of the lineup has had limited exposure to him and that is not going to make things any easier for Seattle to put runs on the board.

Look for Toronto to use the combination of strong pitching and an offense due to break out, to cover the run line and help cash the over.