Toronto Blue Jays vs Cincinnati Reds Prediction, Preview and Odds - 08/18/2023

Game Time: 6:40 pm ET, Friday, August 18, 2023

Venue:  Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH

Where to Watch:  Apple TV+

DraftKings:  Moneyline odds:  Blue Jays -140, Reds +120; Over/Under:  10.5 runs

Bet365:  Moneyline odds:  Blue Jays -140, Reds +120; Over/Under:  10.5 runs

BetMGM:  Moneyline odds:  Blue Jays -140, Reds +120; Over/Under:  10.5 runs

Toronto Blue Jays:  67-55 (3rd place, AL East)

Cincinnati Reds:  63-59 (3rd place, NL Central)

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Toronto Blue Jays:  5-5 last 10

Cincinnati Reds:  4-6 last 10

The Blue Jays are entering this series off a win and split their 2-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies 1-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 67-55 record overall and have a road record of 35-28. This is the series opener of a 3-game series with the Reds on Friday and they have Thursday off as a day of rest. Their offense ranks 10th in the MLB with a .744 OPS. Kevin Gausman was their starting pitcher on Wednesday while José Berríos is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 9-8 with a 3.53 ERA this season. His team lost 2 of their last 3 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 4 ER, 2 HR, and 0 BB with 3 Ks on 9 hits through 4.1 IP against the Chicago Cubs.

The Reds are entering this series off a win and split their 2-game series against the Cleveland Guardians 1-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 63-59 record overall and have a home record of 30-32. This is the 1st game of a 3-game series with the Blue Jays on Friday and they have Thursday off as a day of rest. Their offense ranks 10th in the MLB with a .744 OPS. Andrew Abbott was their starting pitcher on Wednesday while Brett Kennedy is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 1-0 with a 5.14 ERA this season. His team won their only 2 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 4 earned runs, 0 homers, and 2 BB with 3 strikeouts on 5 hits through 5 innings played against the Washington Nationals.

The current betting odds have the Blue Jays listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Blue Jays have been playing a lot better lately as they look to keep their Wild Card spot in a really competitive AL. The Reds are also in the hunt for a Wild Card spot in the NL but their offense hasn't been nearly as consistent as the Blue Jays offense and the Jays have had some solid pitching this season while the Reds have really struggled a lot in that department. The Reds are supposed to have Kennedy starting here but even then it is still a mystery as they are so thin with their pitching staff that could change by game time. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays have Berrios starting here and he is coming off a start where he allowed 4 runs but he hasn't been giving up that many runs in a lot of his starts lately and he will be looking to bounce back with a better performance considering how the Reds offense has also been cooling off lately. The Blue Jays have not only been better all season but they are in a much better position to hang onto their playoff spot than the Reds and have also been a much more consistent team as of late. The best way to place a bet here is on the Blue Jays to win this game.

Blue Jays Reds Prediction:  Our MLB Pick for Friday, August 18, 2023 (6:40 pm ET start time) is Blue Jays 6 Reds 3.

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Toronto Blue Jays: 67-55 (-5.8 units) on the moneyline in all games. 53-44 (-6.8 units) on the moneyline against right-handed starters. 14-5 UNDER after batting .225 or worse over a 5 game span. JOSE BERRIOS is 14-7 UNDER in all games.

Cincinnati Reds: 63-59 (+13.5 units) on the moneyline in all games. 18-11 (+9.5 units) on the moneyline in an inter-league game. 18-10 UNDER against AL East opponents. 

Toronto Blue Jays:  M. Chapman (3B) Ques Fri - Finger. K. Kiermaier (CF) Prob Fri - Elbow. H. Danner (RP) Out indefinitely - Oblique. T. Richards (RP) Late Aug - Neck. B. Bichette (SS) Late Aug - Knee. C. Green (RP) Late Aug - Elbow. O. Lopez (2B) out for season - Oblique. A. Cimber (RP) Late Aug - Shoulder.

Cincinnati Reds:  H. Greene (SP) Prob Sun - Hip. B. Lively (RP) Late Aug - Pectoral. J. India (2B) Early Sept - Heel. V. Gutierrez (SP) Late Aug - Elbow. T. Antone (RP) Late Aug - Elbow. C. Casali (C) Late Aug - Foot. J. Fraley (LF) Out indefinitely - Toe. R. Sanmartin (SP) out for season - Elbow. N. Lodolo (SP) Late Aug - Calf. J. Dunn (SP) Mid Sept - Shoulder. C. Overton (SP) out for season - Elbow.

“They were a World Series team last year. If you give them that many chances, they’re going to make you pay for it.” - Kevin Gausman after their loss against the Phillies in their game on Wednesday.

“I asked TJ if he could dunk after that. He said he could if he could palm the ball. He really got up. He’s always looking to make a difference in the game and then his ability takes over, but it all starts with his desire to do something to help us win a game.” - David Bell after his team’s win against the Guardians in their game on Wednesday.

Whit Merrifield (R) LF

Brandon Belt (L) DH

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B

George Springer (R) RF

Cavan Biggio (L) 2B

Alejandro Kirk (R) C

Daulton Varsho (L) CF

Santiago Espinal (R) 3B

Paul DeJong (R) SS

TJ Friedl (L) CF

Matt McLain (R) 2B

Elly De La Cruz (S) SS

Spencer Steer (R) 3B

Joey Votto (L) 1B

Christian Encarnacion-Strand (R) DH

Stuart Fairchild (R) LF

Will Benson (L) RF

Luke Maile (R) C

Batting Average:  Ernie Clement (.500)

Hits:  Bo Bichette (144)

Home Runs:  Vladimir Guerrero (18)

RBI:  Vladimir Guerrero (72)

Stolen Bases:  Whit Merrifield (22)

Wins:  Chris Bassitt (11)

Saves:  Jordan Romano (29)

ERA:  Genesis Cabrera (0.00)

Batting Average:  Matt McLain (.298)

Hits:  Spencer Steer (117)

Home Runs:  Spencer Steer (18)

RBI:  Spencer Steer (66)

Stolen Bases:  TJ Friedl (23)

Wins:  Ian Gibaut (8)

Saves:  Alexis Diaz (33)

ERA:  Ricky Karcher (0.00)

Managers:

Toronto Blue Jays: John Schneider (2nd season)

Cincinnati Reds: David Bell (5th season)