Blue Jays vs Nationals Odds, Prediction
| Blue Jays Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Over/Under | Run Line |
-200 | 8.5 -115o / -105u | -1.5 -130 |
| Nationals Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Over/Under | Run Line |
+165 | 8.5 -115o / -105u | +1.5 +110 |
Both the Toronto Blue Jays and Washington Nationals own losing records heading into Friday's interleague series opener at Nationals Park, but the expectations are definitely different for these two squads.
The Blue Jays were knocked out of the MLB postseason by the Twins last season in two games, while the Nationals are trying to find their footing in the competitive National League East.
What both these teams are seeking tonight is an offensive breakout, as the two squads haven't scored more than one run in each of their last two games. Find my Blue Jays vs Nationals prediction in my MLB betting preview below.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays have hit the skids of late by dropping seven of their last nine games, while being held to two runs or fewer in the seven losses.
There's currently a power outage from first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who hasn't hit a home run in 19 straight games. Toronto has hit 28 total home runs this season, which ranks 12th in the American League.
The good news is Toronto has started road series' on a solid note by posting a 4-1 record in away Game 1s, while winning each of those games by two runs or more.
Yusei Kikuchi has been reliable — for the most part — in six starts this season, but the Jays' southpaw allowed four runs in six innings of a 4-2 home defeat to the Dodgers his last time out. Kikuchi has yielded two runs in his past two road starts against the Royals and Yankees, both multi-run wins by Toronto.
The Jays have struggled in the first five innings recently (2-6-1 in the last nine games), as Toronto has been limited to one run or less six times.
Washington Nationals
The Nationals have put together a respectable 15-16 record so far, considering they faced the Dodgers and Rangers nine times in the last two weeks.
Washington's offense stalled in Arlington the last three days by scoring two runs, while losing two of three to the World Series champions.
The lone victory came in the middle game of the series by a 1-0 count, but the Nationals completed a successful 5-2 road swing, which included a four-game sweep of the Marlins.
Washington enters tonight's opener at 0-4 in home Game 1s this season, while getting outscored by 13 runs in those defeats.
Patrick Corbin won 14 games during Washington's World Series title run in 2019, but it's been all downhill for the southpaw since then.
Corbin has compiled a dreadful 27-50 record since 2020, which includes an 0-3 mark in 2024. The left-hander was bailed out in his last start after the Nats fell behind the Marlins 7-0 through two innings. Washington rallied back for a 12-9 victory.
Corbin delivered his best start of the season in his last home appearance, which came against the mighty Dodgers in a 4-1 loss. Corbin tossed 5.1 scoreless innings and allowed three hits, but the Dodgers broke a 1-1 tie late with three runs for the victory.
Blue Jays vs. Nationals
Betting Pick & Prediction
The Game 1 trends are telling us Toronto has started strong and Washington hasn't been successful early on in series'.
Corbin is always tough to trust, as he only has one quality start so far this season. He was also racked by the Blue Jays in a 7-0 loss last season.
Toronto's bats need to bust out sooner or later, so we'll take the Jays on the run-line to capture the series opener in D.C. tonight.
