Toronto Blue Jays vs. Milwaukee Brewers Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 6/25/2022

Time: 4:10 p.m. ET

Venue: American Family Field, Milwaukee, WI

Where to watch: SNET-1, Bally Sports Wisconsin

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Caesars: Check back later

Blue Jays: 39-30

Brewers: 40-32

It's rough when you're on an island by yourself. Especially now, knowing there's a legitimate argument that can be made that Corbin Burnes is having a much better year than last when he dominated his way to the National League Cy Young Award. Sure, the home runs are a bit higher than last year, but his record would be so much better if he got the run support from his teammates.

Yet even though he's bogged through a 5-4 start to the season, there's no denying that Burnes has been the Milwaukee Brewers' best player and MVP to this point. Hence why they're in first place of the NL Central and going blow for blow with the high-powered St. Louis Cardinals. Because it's surely not the Milwaukee bats. Sure, they've gotten timely production, but no one has emerged as that dangerous bat that can carry an offense.

But with Brandon Woodruff and Freddy Peralta on the IL, it's been Burnes once again anchoring the rotation. And as he gets the start Saturday in what might be the biggest challenge he's faced this year in the crowded Toronto Blue Jays lineup, he has another chance to put a notch in making a run for another Cy Young award.

“For me, every start’s the same, just sticking to my process and going throughout my routine and being as prepared as I can be so when I’m out there, it’s executing pitches and having fun,” Burnes said. “I don’t know if it’s because we’re playing the Cardinals, I’ve been able to do it a little more efficiently than I have with other teams.”

Burnes had a shaky start to his season by giving up three runs in five innings on Opening Day against the Chicago Cubs. Since then, he's only given up at least three runs two other times (May 18 vs. Atlanta, June 3 vs. San Diego). 

He's been a constant on the mound, and he's delivered in his last two starts against two teams that the Brewers are chasing in the NL standings, the New York Mets and Cardinals. Burnes struck out eight in six innings in Citi Field on June 15, and then followed that with Monday with a 10-strikout gem through seven scoreless innings against their division rivals. The only two hits Burnes gave up were to Juan Yepez, who felt the wrath of Burnes' cutter firsthand.

“That cutter is a really good pitch,” said the rookie Yepez following Burnes' dominant outing. “I feel like it’s not even a normal pitch. You don’t see any rotation. It starts somewhere, and it just starts moving a lot and you can’t ever see a rotation.”

Burnes obviously can't do it all. He goes every five days, and the Brewers are trying to spend the other four staying above water. Taking two of four against the Cardinals is a great start to doing that. But they're going to need that production from the plate in order to get it done. Rowdy Tellez should not be their leader in average at just .249. This is a sign for Christian Yelich or Willy Adames to start to get it going.

"I try not to make any game bigger than it is," Burnes said. "It's still mid-to-end of June, playing baseball. We've still got a lot of games left. If you start making one game bigger than the other, you start putting extra pressure on yourself and start trying to do too much."

The Brewers will have their hands full with Alek Manoah on Friday. The Blue Jays will feel the same way with Burnes on Saturday. Asking Yusei Kikuchi to outduel one of the best pitchers in baseball is already a task to be had. Expect a big game from the big right-hander in what should be a fun showing. Brewers win 5-2

Blue Jays are 24-27 playing with a day off the past three seasons.

Blue Jays are 18-16 on the road this season.

Brewers are 1-7 this season at home when line is between +125 and -125.

Blue Jays:
Santiago Espinal (R) 2B
Bo Bichette (R) SS
Vladimir Guerrero (R) 1B
Alejandro Kirk (R) DH
Teoscar Hernandez (R) RF
Matt Chapman (R) 3B
Raimel Tapia (L) CF
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (R) LF
Gabriel Moreno (R) C
SP - Yusei Kikuchi

Brewers:
Christian Yelich (L) LF
Luis Urias (R) SS
Rowdy Tellez (L) 1B
Andrew McCutchen (R) DH
Hunter Renfroe (R) RF
Omar Narvaez (L) C
Keston Hiura (R) 2B
Jace Peterson (L) 3B
Tyrone Taylor (R) CF
SP - Corbin Burnes

Batting average: Alejandro Kirk -- .307

Home runs: Vladimir Guerrero Jr -- 17

RBI: Vladimir Guerrero Jr -- 42

Wins: Alek Manoah -- 8

ERA: Alek Manoah -- 2.00

Batting average: Rowdy Tellez -- .249

Home runs: Willy Adames -- 15

RBI: Rowdy Tellez -- 41

Wins: Eric Lauer -- 6

ERA: Corbin Burnes -- 2.31