MLB Baseball Betting: Cleveland Indians at Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays will get off the mat for round two against the scorching hot Cleveland Indians on Friday and despite the good form of their opponent in this series it’s imperative that they win some games. The Jays have slipped to third place in the AL East having lost four of their last six games. They’re now 6 points behind the Baltimore Orioles (who have won 7 straight and 8 of 10) and 1/2 game behind the Boston Red Sox (who are slumping having lost 7 of 10). They’re now going to have to worry about the fourth place New York Yankees who are just 2.5 games back.

Cleveland is the hottest team in baseball by a wide margin. Following a 4-1 victory over Toronto in Thursday’s series opener the Indians have won 13 straight and finished the month of June with a 22-6 record. They’ve opened up a six game lead over the Kansas City Royals but don’t have enough of an advantage to ‘take their foot off the gas’. The Detroit Tigers are just 7.5 games back and have won 7 of 10. The Chicago White Sox are 8.5 games back and have also won 7 of 10.

Toronto will start righthander Marcus Stroman who has been mediocre at best this season and in dismal form in his recent outings. The Jays are 8-8 in Stroman’s 16 starts this year where he’s put up a 5.33 ERA. At home, they’re 4-4 with Stroman posting a 5.90 ERA and 1.490 WHIP. In his last three starts Toronto is 1-2 with Stroman putting up a 7.47 ERA and a 1.787 WHIP. Cleveland will counter with Josh Tomlin who has been exceptional this season. The Indians have won 12 of his 14 starts (+10.3 units) including 6 of 7 on the road. Tomlin has a 3.32 ERA overall with a 1.063 WHIP. On the road, he’s got a 2.76 ERA with a 0.959 WHIP. All told, Tomlin is the fourth most profitable pitcher in Major League baseball.

Hard to figure out why Toronto is favored here given the recent form of the Indians. Cleveland hasn’t been great in day games (13-13 -1.8 units) while Toronto has turned a small profit (18-13 +2.8 units) but that’s the only edge the Jays appear to have. Just can’t pass up the hottest team in baseball at this price.

BET CLEVELAND INDIANS +110 OVER TORONTO BLUE JAYS