Toronto Blue Jays vs Cleveland Guardians Prediction, Preview and Odds - 08/07/2023

Game Time: 7:10 pm ET, Monday, August 7, 2023

Venue:  Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH

Where to Watch:  MLB Network

DraftKings:  Moneyline odds:  Blue Jays -112, Guardians -108; Over/Under:  8.5 runs

Bet365:  Moneyline odds:  Blue Jays -112, Guardians -108; Over/Under:  8.5 runs

BetMGM:  Moneyline odds:  Blue Jays -112, Guardians -108; Over/Under:  8.5 runs

Toronto Blue Jays:  62-50 (3rd place, AL East)

Cleveland Guardians:  54-57 (2nd place, AL Central)

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Toronto Blue Jays:  6-4 last 10

Cleveland Guardians:  4-6 last 10

The Blue Jays entered their last series off a loss and lost their 4-game series against the Baltimore Orioles 3-1. They enter this game with a 62-50 record overall and have a road record of 32-26. This is the series opener of a 4-game series with the Guardians on Monday with the series finale of their series against the Boston Red Sox still to be played on Sunday. They also won the series opener and the 2nd game of that series on Friday and Saturday. Their offense ranks 9th in the MLB with a .749 OPS. Chris Bassitt is their starting pitcher on Sunday while Hyun Jin Ryu is making his start in this game on Monday. He is 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA this season. His team lost their only game this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 4 ER, 1 HR, and 1 BB with 3 Ks on 9 hits through 5 IP against the Baltimore Orioles.

The Guardians entered their last series on a 3 game losing streak and got swept 3-0 in their 3-game series against the Houston Astros. They enter this game with a 54-57 record overall and have a home record of 29-25. This is the 1st game of a 4-game series with the Blue Jays on Monday with the 3rd game of their series against the Chicago White Sox still to be played on Sunday. They also won the 1st game of that series on Friday but lost the 2nd game on Saturday. Their offense ranks 25th in the MLB with a .696 OPS. Xzavion Curry is their starting pitcher on Sunday while rookie pitcher Gavin Williams is making his start in this game on Monday. He is 1-3 with a 3.38 ERA this season. His team won 2 of their last 3 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 2 earned runs, 0 homers, and 4 BB with 6 strikeouts on 4 hits through 5 innings played against the Houston Astros.

The current betting odds have the Guardians listed as a slight underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Guardians haven't been great lately but they are going to be motivated in this series since they are chasing down the Twins for 1st place in their division and need to make up some ground now. The Blue Jays have been playing a lot better in their series over the weekend against the Red Sox but they were terrible last week and have been a really up and down team with their consistency. The Blue Jays have a great offense while the Guardians do not but the Guardians do have some great pitching to lean on while the Blue Jays have a shaky pitching staff that has also been inconsistent. The Jays are also going with Ryu in this game who is only making his 2nd start this season but he wasn't great in his return from injury as he gave up 4 runs in that start. The Guardians don't have a great offense but they will get their scoring opportunities with the way Ryu has been struggling in his return and they will definitely take advantage of their scoring opportunities at home. Meanwhile, the Guardians are going with Williams on the mound and even though he is still in his rookie season he has been a lights out starter for them all year. Williams hasn't been giving up many runs in any of his starts all season and he is going to give the Blue Jays a hard time trying to put up runs in this game against this stingy pitching staff. The best way to place a bet here is on the Guardians to win this game. 

Blue Jays Guardians Prediction:  Our MLB Pick for Monday, August 7, 2023 (7:10 pm ET start time) is Guardians 4 Blue Jays 0.

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Toronto Blue Jays: 27-21 (+5.3 units) on the moneyline when the money line is +125 to -125. 26-14 (+11.6 units) on the moneyline on the road when the total is 8.5 to 10. 28-18 UNDER when the money line is +125 to -125. 15-7 UNDER against AL Central opponents.

Cleveland Guardians: 54-57 (-12.9 units) on the moneyline in all games. 23-33 (-14.6 units) on the moneyline when the total is 8.5 to 10. 34-19 UNDER in home games. 34-22 UNDER in August games.

Toronto Blue Jays:  D. Jansen (C) Ques Sun - Wrist. T. Richards (RP) Out indefinitely - Neck. B. Bichette (SS) Out indefinitely - Knee. J. Romano (RP) Mid Aug - Back. O. Lopez (2B) out for season - Oblique. C. Green (RP) Mid Aug - Elbow. A. Cimber (RP) Late Aug - Shoulder.

Cleveland Guardians:  J. Naylor (1B) Late Sept - Oblique. T. Freeman (3B) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. S. Bieber (SP) Mid Sept - Elbow. T. McKenzie (SP) Mid Sept - Elbow. C. Quantrill (SP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder.

“The way the ball's been flying the last few days, you think that's kind of off the wall at the very least, but you never underestimate the power of Kevin Kiermaier in the outfield. It definitely wasn't easy, a little stressful, but at the end of the day you have the right guys against the right guys in the lineup and (Kiermaier) made a great play.” - John Schneider after his team’s win against the Red Sox in their game on Saturday.

“Before everything started, I know Anderson was yelling at (first baseman Gabriel) Arias and the umpire told him to knock it off. Then, things got away from everybody.” - Terry Francona after his team’s loss against the White Sox in their game on Saturday.

Whit Merrifield (R) LF

Brandon Belt (L) DH

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B

George Springer (R) RF

Alejandro Kirk (R) C

Matt Chapman (R) 3B

Daulton Varsho (L) CF

Davis Schneider (R) 2B

Paul DeJong (R) SS

Steven Kwan (L) LF

Andres Gimenez (L) 2B

Jose Ramirez (S) 3B

Oscar Gonzalez (R) RF

Kole Calhoun (L) DH

Brayan Rocchio (S) SS

Will Brennan (L) CF

Bo Naylor (L) C

Gabriel Arias (R) 1B

Batting Average:  Davis Schneider (.625)

Hits:  Bo Bichette (144)

Home Runs:  Vladimir Guerrero (18)

RBI:  Vladimir Guerrero (69)

Stolen Bases:  Whit Merrifield (21)

Wins:  Chris Bassitt (10)

Saves:  Jordan Romano (28)

ERA:  Jay Jackson (0.53)

Batting Average:  Kole Calhoun (.333)

Hits:  Steven Kwan (121)

Home Runs:  Jose Ramirez (18)

RBI:  Josh Naylor (79)

Stolen Bases:  Andres Gimenez (18)

Wins:  Tanner Bibee (7)

Saves:  Emmanuel Clase (29)

ERA:  Konnor Pilkington (0.00)

Managers:

Toronto Blue Jays: John Schneider (2nd season)

Cleveland Guardians: Terry Francona (11th season)