MLB Inner Circle Insider - Saturday
- Handicapper
- Jim Feist
- League
- MLB
- Competition
- Toronto Blue Jays vs Arizona Diamondbacks
- Release Date
- 04/18/2026 10:29 AM
- Event Date
- 04/18/2026 08:10 PM
- Bet Type
- Moneyline
- Pick
-
Arizona Diamondbacks -122
(BetOnline)
- Outcome
- Win
- Analysis
- Arizona has all the tools to win Saturday: the Diamondbacks are in better form, they have the pitching advantage as it stands right now and they already won Friday’s opener in this series. Arizona went up 6-3 on Toronto with Michael Soroka throwing seven excellent innings, but Friday’s game exposed how terrible the Blue Jays are right now as they drop to 7-12 on the year and have now lost 11 of their last 14 contests. Meanwhile, Arizona keeps rolling with momentum and holds the clear advantage in team form heading into Game 2.
That trend continues when we look at the starting pitchers for Saturday. Zac Gallen will start for Arizona and he’ll be opposed by Max Scherzer of the Toronto Blue Jays. Gallen comes into Saturday having posted a 3.60 ERA on the season. Scherzer has had an atrocious start to 2023 and owns a 1-2 record with a 9.58 ERA through his first five starts.
Arizona’s lineup also has you wanting to trust it right now. Nolan Arenado hit his third homer in his last four games on Friday and Ildemaro Vargas has now reached safely in 13 straight games to start the season. Ketel Marte added two hits and two RBI Friday night, so Arizona isn’t just rolling with one hitter right now. They have several guys hitting well and putting together great at-bats. That will matter against a struggling Scherzer who has been getting knocked around early in games this season.
Toronto will also be entering Saturday without 100% health. Daulton Varsho left Friday’s game due to knee discomfort and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. stayed in Friday’s game after jamming a finger. He was able to finish the game, but the Blue Jays are far from healthy and entering Saturday at full strength. Throw in the fact Arizona is at home and Arizona just seems like the safer play right now.
Arizona is simply playing better baseball right now, Gallen is the more trustworthy starter as of today and Arizona proved on Friday they can win this series. If Gallen can keep Toronto in check for six or seven innings, Arizona has every opportunity to take another win against the Blue Jays here.
Jim's Play: 978. Diamondbacks
