The 2022 MLB betting action continues with a 15-game Saturday card, so we’re taking a closer look at the American League battle from T-Mobile Park in Seattle to get you the best Blue Jays vs. Mariners betting pick and odds.  

Toronto and Seattle lock horns in the third of a four-game set, and the Blue Jays are -130 road favorites with a total of 7.0 runs on MyBookie Sportsbook. These two foes split their first four encounters in 2022, while the second game of this set has been excluded from the analysis. 

The Blue Jays are coming through a rough patch                                        

The Toronto Blue Jays fell to 45-39 on the season following Thursday’s 8-3 defeat at T-Mobile Park. It was their sixth loss in the previous seven games overall, and the Jays have scored only 19 runs in that stretch while surrendering 43 in a return. 

Toronto held the bottom wild card in the American League on Friday, but the Mariners and Cleveland Guardians were only three games behind the Blue Jays, whose pitching staff has serious injury problems. In the last 15 days of action, Toronto has recorded the sixth-highest ERA in the majors (4.88). 

Alek Manoah, who’s been the Jays’ best pitcher so far this season, will face the Mariners on Saturday. The 24-year-old righty is 9-3 with a sparkling 2.33 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 16 starts (100.1 innings) in 2022. However, Manoah has struggled a bit over his previous four starts, yielding 14 runs (12 earned) across 24.2 innings of work. 

The Mariners beat the Jays for their fifth straight win              

The Seattle Mariners improved to 42-42 and grabbed their fifth consecutive win in the opening game of this series at T-Mobile Park. They’ve played very well of late, going 13-3 in their previous 16 games at any location. 

Seattle’s pitching staff has been excellent in the last 15 days, compiling a 2.79 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and .231 opposing batting average. Robbie Ray will get the starting call Thursday and search for his second straight win after striking out 12 across 6.2 innings in a 2-1 home against the Oakland Athletics last Sunday. 

Ray is 7-6 with a 3.62 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 17 starts (104.1 innings) in 2022. The 30-year-old lefty has struggled a lot through his first 12 outings this season, but he’s been outstanding since mid-June. The reigning AL Cy Young Award champion has allowed only three runs on 15 hits and nine walks in his previous five starts (33.2 innings). 

Trends:

Toronto: 

  • 6-2 in the last eight games against Seattle 

Seattle:

  • N/A 

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Seattle Mariners Pick 

We should see a tremendous battle on the mound between Alek Manoah and Robbie Ray, so I would go with the totals as my best Blue Jays vs. Mariners pick. Seattle is on a terrific run, but Toronto’s lineup is terrifying and capable of hitting against any team in the majors, so this game could easily go either way. 

I lean toward the Blue Jays because of Alek Manoah’s electric stuff. The Mariners have never seen him before, and Manoah ranks in the 97th percentile hard-hit percentage and 90th percentile in barrel percentage. On the other side, the Blue Jays have ten hits and four home runs in 34 at-bats against their former teammate, Robbie Ray, who ranks in the 42nd percentile in hard-hit percentage and 66th percentile in xwOBA. 

Pick: Take Toronto Blue Jays at -130                                          

The Total:

When it comes to the totals, give me the under despite a seven-run line. The only thing I’m worried about is the Blue Jays’ offense, as the visitors own one of the best lineups in baseball and it’s full of righties. 

I would lean on Alek Manoah and Robbie Ray to bring their best game. If the starting duo does well, we should see a proper low-scoring affair.  

Pick: Go under 7.0 runs at -105