Blue Jays vs Tigers Series Preview: Manoah Returns to Rotation

Toronto Needs Pitcher to Regain Form For Playoff Push

July 7, 2023 35 3 minutes readMLB Picks & Parlays

Blue Jays vs Tigers Series Preview: Manoah Returns to Rotation — Jamie Sabau/Getty Images/AFP

The Blue Jays vs Tigers series preview notes that Friday will see the return of Toronto pitcher Alek Manoah. Manoah was sent to the minor leagues after a dismal start to the season. The Blue Jays are in the wild card battle and could use a few good outings from its starters.

The Tigers are on their way to another subpar season. But the AL Central is so bad this year Detroit is one winning streak away from being right in the middle of things. For now, the Tigers are 6.0 games behind the Twins in the division.

The Blue Jays can hit the ball, ranking No. 9 in team batting average, and are tied for No. 14 in runs scored. Toronto has hit 96 home runs, which is No. 17 in MLB.

The Blue Jays are No. 10 in team ERA, although Manoah certainly hasn’t helped that. Toronto has converted 29 of 37 save opportunities, so the bullpen is getting the job done.

The Blue Jays vs Tigers standings show Toronto in fourth place in the AL East, while the Tigers are in third place in the AL Central. The Blue Jays are 47-40, while the Tigers are 38-48.

Friday’s Game

This is the worst pitching matchup on today’s MLB schedule. But it also offers a bit of intrigue as Manoah returns to the mound for the first time since June 5. Manoah is 1-7 with a 6.36 ERA on the season. The Blue Jays are 4-9 in the games he started. But after winning his first three starts, Toronto was 1-9 over his next 10 before he was sent down.

The Tigers will counter with Alex Faedo, and Detroit is 1-4 when he starts. Faedo owns a 1-3 record with a 5.54 ERA. Neither pitcher inspires much confidence in this one. But since somebody has to be favored, the Blue Jays are -134, and the total on the game is 9-over (-120). Manoah was 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA last season, so at least he’s shown the ability to be a solid starter. Have to give Toronto the nod here and hope that Manoah can return to form.

Saturday’s Game

The Blue Jays vs Tigers series preview has Kevin Gausman and Matt Manning as the scheduled starters in this spot. Gausman is having another strong year, going 7-4 with a 3.04 ERA. Toronto is 10-8 when he starts.

Manning has made four starts this season and is 2-1 with a 4.84 ERA. The Blue Jays did get to him for four runs in six innings in April. The Tigers are 2-2 when he starts but have allowed at least eight runs in his last three starts. This could be a spot to take the Blue Jays on the MLB point spreads (run line) and lay the 1.5 runs. That will lower the juice on Toronto a bit, and this is the type of game the Blue Jays could run away with.

The Blue Jays haven’t given Gausman much support this season and are averaging just 3.39 runs when he starts. But Toronto should have more success against Manning and score a few more runs.

Sunday’s Game

The Blue Jays vs Tigers series preview has Chris Bassitt and Tarik Skubal as the starters in Sunday’s finale. Bassitt is 8-5 on the season with a 4.09 ERA. Toronto is 10-8 in the games Bassitt has started. Skubal is making just his second start of the season after missing time with an elbow injury. He was sharp in the minor leagues and threw four scoreless innings against Oakland in his MLB season debut. Skubal was throwing 98 mph, so his health looks to be good. He does need to build up his stamina, and Detroit won’t rush him. Expect no more than five innings, possibly six if his pitch count is down.

Bassitt’s numbers aren’t quite as good on the road, where Toronto is 5-5 with him on the mound. The Blue Jays score 4.7 runs in those starts, but allow 5.4. For Detroit, it’s easier to trust Skubal than it is the bullpen, so the Tigers at plus money for the first five innings might be the best way to go in this one.
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July 7, 2023

35 3 minutes read

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