By With a struggling Bowden Francis taking the mound in place of an injured Alek Manoah, the Blue Jays are at a clear disadvantage for the series finale. The A’s have a golden chance at a win and our MLB picks expect them to do just that.
The Toronto Blue Jays and Oakland Athletics cap off a three-game set at Oakland Coliseum this afternoon with the series win up for grabs. With Alek Manoah on the injury list, the Jays will be sending Bowden Francis to the mound in what will be a bullpen game for the club.
Francis has not been good for the Jays and Toronto’s bullpen has been one of the worst in the majors this season, which could give Oakland a chance at a rare win. Keep reading for my MLB picks and Blue Jays vs. Athletics predictions for Sunday, June 9.
Blue Jays vs Athletics prediction
My best bet
Athletics moneyline (+105 at PROLINE+)
My analysis
Kevin Gausman pitched a full-game shutout in a 7-0 win for the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday, though things likely won’t be as smooth for the visitors this afternoon in what’s shaping up to be a bullpen game.
Alek Manoah, who would have been slated as Sunday’s starter, will miss the rest of the season with an elbow injury, leaving Bowden Francis to take the mound for the Jays. Francis has appeared in just six games (two starts) for Toronto this season, posting a dreadful 9.00 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP through 18 innings.
The right-hander started in each of his first two appearances back in April, getting lit up for a combined 12 hits, four homers, and 12 earned runs over just 8 1/3 innings. And even if Francis does manage to put together three or four respectable innings of work, the Jays will be sending out the MLB’s second-worst bullpen in terms of ERA (4.89) to cover the rest of the game.
While the Oakland Athletics have been offensively challenged this season, scoring just four total runs over their last four games, Sunday’s matchup against a poor Toronto bullpen could give the A’s a good chance at a rare win.
Athletics starter Mitch Spence has been solid through his last four starts, holding a 3.32 ERA over that span while holding opponents to two runs or fewer in three of those games. If Spence brings his A-game, the A’s could grind out another low-scoring victory.
Blue Jays star player prop
My best bet
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Over 0.5 RBI (+145 at PROLINE+)
I took Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to knock in a run for Saturday’s game and while that didn’t pan out, I still liked what I saw from the Jays slugger. Vladdy has recorded a double in two straight games against the A’s and now has an extra-base hit in each of his last three outings.
Guerrero’s average is up to a respectable .294 with his slugging percentage at .429, though both of those numbers trail his expected rates of .301 and .499. It’s just a matter of time before the RBI start coming.
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Blue Jays vs Athletics odds
Blue Jays vs Athletics live odds
Blue Jays vs Athletics opening odds
- Run line: Toronto -1.5 (+130) | Oakland +1.5 (-155)
- Moneyline: Toronto -125 | Oakland +105
- Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5
Blue Jays vs Athletics spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Blue Jays have won five of their last seven meetings against the A’s, though their starter went at least six innings deep in each of those wins — something that likely won’t happen today.
- Today’s total opened at 8.5 runs, which seems a touch high given that both clubs rank in the Bottom 5 offensively this season.
- The Under is 6-0 in Oakland’s last six games and 3-0-1 in the last four meetings between the two teams.
- The Under is also 4-0 in Mitch Spence’s last four starts.
Blue Jays vs Athletics trend
The Under is 6-2 in the last eight meetings in Oakland. Find more MLB betting trends for Blue Jays vs. Athletics.
Blue Jays vs Athletics game info
| Location: | Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, CA |
| Date: | Sunday, 6-9-2024 |
| First pitch: | 4:07 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Sportsnet, NBCS-California |
| Blue Jays starting pitcher: | Bowden Francis (2-2, 9.00 ERA) |
| Athletics starting pitcher: | Mitch Spence (4-3, 3.86 ERA) |
Blue Jays vs Athletics latest injuries
Blue Jays vs Athletics weather
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