The penultimate game of a 14-game slate on Monday, July 4, is this American League clash, so check out the best Mets vs. Reds betting pick and odds.

Toronto and Oakland will open a three-game series at O.co Coliseum, and the Blue Jays are firm -220 moneyline favorites on BetOnline Sportsbook. These American League rivals will square off for the fourth time this season; the Blue Jays lead the series 2-1.

Blue Jays lost the series to the Rays

Despite a promising start to a five-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays and the opening two wins, the Toronto Blue Jays lost the next three, allowing at least six runs in each defeat. Following an eight-game home stand, the Jays will hit the road for seven games against Oakland and Seattle.

Toronto scored only one run until the 8th inning, and although they added two more for the remainder of the game, it wasn’t enough to avoid a 7-3 loss to the Rays. Ross Stripling fell to 4-3 after allowing three runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and one walk across 4.2 innings. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had three hits and two RBIs.

Alek Manoah (9-2) is getting his 16th start of the season when he takes on the A’s on Monday. The 24-year-old righty currently owns a great 2.09 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 85/19 K/BB ratio in 94.2 innings. Manoah met the Athletics once this season and got a win after pitching for a 3.00 ERA over 6.0 innings.

Athletics continue to struggle

The Oakland Athletics still own the worst record in the entire MLB. After being swept by the New York Yankees in a three-game series, the A’s lost two of a four-game series against the Seattle Mariners. The final, fourth game of that series is played at the time of writing and the A’s were down 1-0 midway through the tilt.

Oakland had just four hits in a 2-1 loss to the Mariners. They were pretty much non-existent offensively after the opening inning and a 1-0 lead. The Athletics kept a narrow lead until the 8th when Seattle tied and then beat the A’s in the bottom 9th. Paul Blackburn (6-3) posted a quality start through 6.1 innings, allowing no runs on four hits with five strikeouts and a walk. Lou Trivino (1-6) was credited with a loss.

Cole Irvin (2-6) will be on the mound for the A’s against the Blue Jays on Monday. The 28-year-old lefty suffered four consecutive losses and is without a victory since April 24. Irvin has a solid 3.58 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 52/18 K/BB ratio over 75.1 innings of work. He faced the Blue Jays twice in 2021 and had a 1-1 record with a 6.97 ERA.

Trends:

Toronto:

  • 6-2 in the last eight during game 1 of a series
  • 23-9 in the last 32 vs. American League West rivals

Oakland:

  • 1-11 in the last 12 vs. American League East rivals
  • 0-4 in the last four Monday games

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Oakland Athletics Pick  

The Blue Jays have been better against southpaws than against righties this season. They are .263 vs. lefties and are averaging 4.99 runs per nine innings. Alek Manoah will dominate Oakland’s batters, who have been the worst in the league with a .213 batting average. Also, the A’s have only .208 BA against right-handed pitchers and are scoring 2.93 runs per nine innings. This one is a no-brainer.

Pick: Take the Blue Jays -1.5 at -110

The Total

With such an inefficient offense, I seriously doubt the Athletics can score more than a run or two against Manoah, who allowed just .138 BA to the A’s in 21 at-bats. On the other hand, I wouldn’t be surprised if Toronto destroys Irvin, but I still think he will manage to keep the visitors in check in the opening few innings.

Under is 6-1 in the Blue Jays’ last seven road games vs. a left-handed starter, while Under is 6-1 in Toronto’s previous seven games vs. a team with a winning percentage below .400.

Pick: Go Under 7 runs at -110