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(MLB) Milwaukee vs. Toronto,
Money Line: -180.00 Toronto (Home)
Result: Loss
Money Line: -180.00 Toronto (Home)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Toronto Blue Jays have won 93 and 89 games the last two seasons, each time reaching the ALCS. However, the Jays opened the 2017 season with six games away from home and after losing all three games at Tampa Bay this past weekend, return home at 1-5, one of three American League teams with five-plus losses (Royals are 2-5 and the Mariners 2-6). Toronto opens its home season tonight against the Milwaukee Brewers, who play in the NL's Central Division. This marks Milwaukee's first road game, after going 2-5 at home to begin the 2017 campaign. Milwaukee is batting only .215 and has a .292 on-base percentage. However, it entered Monday tied for the National League lead with 10 HRhe
The pitching matchup: Wily Peralta (1-0 & 0.00 ERA) takes the mound for the Brewers and J.A. Happ (0-1 & 3.86 ERA) for the Blue Jays. Peralta was a 17-game winner in 2014 but he started horribly for Milwaukee last season and was sent to the minors. However, he posted a 2.92 ERA in 10 starts after the All-Star break and opened 2017 with five scoreless innings in a 6-1 home win over Colorado last Wednesday. Peralta has had just one career start against Toronto (0-0 with a 6.00 ERA / team is 0-1). Happ had a career season in 2016, going 20-4 with a 3.18 ERA. Toronto was 24-8 in all his starts, giving him a plus-$1189 moneyline mark (eighth-best among all starters) He suffered a hard-luck loss in his 2017 debut, allowing three runs and five hits in seven innings while striking out nine at Baltimore last week. "Overall, I was throwing a lot of strikes," Happ told reporters after issuing zero walks. "That's a good sign." However, he owns a 6.13 ERA in 11 career games (10 starts) against Milwaukee. He's 3-4 with a 5.81 ERA in those 10 starts (teams are 5-5).
The pick: "Obviously, 1-5 is not the way you want to start ... good thing there's 162 of these," Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said. "It's only six games, so back home in front of our great fans, (we can) get this thing rolling. I agree with Tulo. Toronto is home for the first time in 2017, while Milwaukee plays away from Miller Park for the first time. Toronto was 99-63 at home these last two season while Milwaukee has gone 66-96 in the same span on the road. Also note that Toronto has gone 25-15 these last two seasons against NL clubs. Make Toronto an 8* play.
The pitching matchup: Wily Peralta (1-0 & 0.00 ERA) takes the mound for the Brewers and J.A. Happ (0-1 & 3.86 ERA) for the Blue Jays. Peralta was a 17-game winner in 2014 but he started horribly for Milwaukee last season and was sent to the minors. However, he posted a 2.92 ERA in 10 starts after the All-Star break and opened 2017 with five scoreless innings in a 6-1 home win over Colorado last Wednesday. Peralta has had just one career start against Toronto (0-0 with a 6.00 ERA / team is 0-1). Happ had a career season in 2016, going 20-4 with a 3.18 ERA. Toronto was 24-8 in all his starts, giving him a plus-$1189 moneyline mark (eighth-best among all starters) He suffered a hard-luck loss in his 2017 debut, allowing three runs and five hits in seven innings while striking out nine at Baltimore last week. "Overall, I was throwing a lot of strikes," Happ told reporters after issuing zero walks. "That's a good sign." However, he owns a 6.13 ERA in 11 career games (10 starts) against Milwaukee. He's 3-4 with a 5.81 ERA in those 10 starts (teams are 5-5).
The pick: "Obviously, 1-5 is not the way you want to start ... good thing there's 162 of these," Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said. "It's only six games, so back home in front of our great fans, (we can) get this thing rolling. I agree with Tulo. Toronto is home for the first time in 2017, while Milwaukee plays away from Miller Park for the first time. Toronto was 99-63 at home these last two season while Milwaukee has gone 66-96 in the same span on the road. Also note that Toronto has gone 25-15 these last two seasons against NL clubs. Make Toronto an 8* play.
