Cincinnati Reds at Toronto Blue Jays Betting Preview/Prop Picks

The Cincinnati Reds will be in Toronto this weekend for an interleague series against the Blue Jays. This series looks like a complete mismatch on paper, but there are always surprises in Major League Baseball.

Cincinnati comes into this game with an overall record of 11-26, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. The Reds were abysmal to start the regular season, but they have been trending in the right direction over the last few weeks.

Toronto brings a 20-18 record into this game, and they currently sit in third place in the tough AL East. The Blue Jays were a popular pick to win that division, but they have some serious work to do as the season moves along. 

The Toronto Blue Jays are the moneyline betting favorites at -192 over the Cincinnati Reds. 

Reds Need Some Pitching

The Cincinnati Reds enter Friday night with a team ERA of 5.85, and that could be a serious issue as they face a tough American League lineup. Cincinnati does have the ability to score runs, but that pitching staff just continues to let the team down.

Luis Castillo will take the mound on Friday night, and he has really struggled to begin the year. Castillo has gone 0-1 with a 5.59 ERA this season, but he has the talent to shut down a lineup when pitching well. 

Brandon Drury leads the team with seven home runs and 22 RBIs, and he has become a big weapon at the plate. Cincinnati has actually outscored Toronto on the year, and they can be tough on opposing pitchers.

Blue Jays Scuffling at the Plate

The Toronto Blue Jays have put up average numbers at the plate this season, but this lineup was expected to be one of the best in baseball. Toronto is getting on base at a .300 clip, and that’s just not going to be good enough. 

George Springer leads the way with seven home runs and 21 RBIs, but other players simply need to step up. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has not been as advertised this season, and it’s keeping the Blue Jays from taking off. 

Hyun-Jin Ryu is set to start for the Blue Jays on Friday night, and he is looking to get his season going. Ryu is 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA, but he should be one of the best pitchers in baseball again this season.

Toronto Takes Series Opener

Toronto has not been playing well of late, but this team is capable of taking off at any time. The Blue Jays should have a big offensive series this weekend as they are facing a pitching staff that has really struggled. 

Cincinnati has started to turn things around after a miserable start, but they are still one of the worst teams in the league. The Reds have an offense capable of keeping this game close at least, but it’s hard to see them winning this game. 

Expect a close battle in the series opener on Friday night, but the home team will do what needs to be done. Bet the Toronto Blue Jays -192 as they win the series opener at home against the Cincinnati Reds.

Prop Picks

Cincinnati (-125) UNDER 3.5 Runs

Toronto is allowing 3.78 runs per 9 innings, which ranks No. 23 in the league, while while holding teams to .234 batting average, which ranks No. 15. Scores have gone UNDER five of the Blue Jays’ last six games overall.

With Dunkel predicting a Toronto victory by the score of 3-2, take the Reds (-125) to finish UNDER their Vegas team total of 3.5 runs against Toronto.

Hyun Jin Ryu (-130) OVER 3.5 Strikeouts

Ryu has eight strikeouts in 12.0 innings pitched. The Reds are averaging 9.48 strikeouts per 9 innings, which ranks No. 28 in the league.

With Dunkel predicting a win for Toronto win while holding the Reds UNDER their team run total, take Ryu (-130) to go OVER 3.5 strikeouts against Cincinnati.

Keep up with your latest MLB news coverage at The Dunkel Index.