MLB Action on Friday: Clash between Blue Jays and Red Sox, and Mariners versus Rangers – Top Wagers to Consider
Welcome to the Dog Days of Summer
Buying a sports ticket is about the only thing you can bet on besides MLB and the PGA TOUR these days. The Saratoga Race Course isn't open yet, so I'm stuck. But there's a light at the end of the tunnel – football season starts in a couple of weeks, and I can start betting on the ponies then.
As disheartening as that sounds, the football and basketball offseasons cause a significant void in my life since sports betting is my biggest hobby. But if I hit my two looks on Friday's MLB card, I'll keep gambling on baseball. With another two months before football starts, I'd like to use my MLB winnings on NFL and college football futures later this summer.
Here's my betting card for June 27:
MLB Betting Card: June 27
- Toronto Blue Jays (+100) moneyline, up to -115, against Boston Red Sox via Caesars Sportsbook, risking 1 unit (u).
- Seattle Mariners (-119) moneyline, up to -125, against Texas Rangers via DraftKings, risking 1.19u.
Blue Jays (43-37) vs. Red Sox (40-42), 7:10 p.m. ET
Season Series:
- Blue Jays lead 5-2.
Current Form:
- Toronto: 5-5 over the last ten games.
- Boston: 4-6 in the last ten games, with five straight losses.
Starting Pitchers:
- Blue Jays: RHP Jose Berrios (3-3, 3.51 ERA).
- Red Sox: RHP Brayan Bello (3-2, 3.31 ERA).
Toronto has been dominating Boston since acquiring Berrios in 2021, winning five straight games against the Red Sox. Berrios has a better exit velocity and K-BB% against Bello's active lineup, per Statcast. To add to that, Boston's bats have been ice-cold lately, ranking 28th in K/BB rate over the past two weeks, according to FanGraphs. Furthermore, the Blue Jays boast superior plate discipline against right-handed pitchers compared to the Red Sox.
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Jose Berrios is taking the mound against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. (Photo credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images)
Mariners (41-39) vs. Rangers (40-41), 8:05 p.m. ET
Season Series:
- Mariners lead 5-1.
Current Form:
- Both teams: 5-5 over the last ten games.
Starting Pitchers:
- Mariners: RHP Logan Gilbert (2-2, 3.12 ERA).
- Rangers: RHP Nathan Eovaldi (4-3, 1.56 ERA).
Gilbert has dominated Texas's lineup over his last five starts, while Eovaldi has struggled against Seattle. The Rangers have a good bullpen and an off-day Thursday, so they'll be well-rested. However, Seattle's lineup is more productive against right-handed pitching, ranking seventh in wRC+ and eighth in hard-hit rate against righties, compared to Texas's 27th in wOBA, according to FanGraphs.
Also, the Mariners have a 10-4 as short road favorites, and Pinnacle Sportsbook, a market-making oddsmaker, opened this game at even-money (+100), making the Mariners slight favorites at the time of writing.
Follow me on Twitter @Geoffery-Clark, and check out my Bets Podcast for more betting content and random rants. I'll add my MLB betting record via Twitter all season. Happy betting!
Additional Insights:
- Over the past few years, the Blue Jays are known for their solid offensive approach. They have the lowest strikeout rate in the majors, which generally influences betting trends by favoring their chances in games due to consistent ball contact.
- Mariners' betting trends show a 213-189 record on the moneyline in all games, with a 100-102 record on the road, suggesting a middling performance trend that bettors might consider. However, this data is from 2025, so it may not accurately reflect the 2022 season.
- Despite the Saratoga Race Course not being open, the only other form of betting the individual can engage in is MLB and PGA TOUR.
- The individual's hobby of sports betting creates a significant void during the football and basketball offseasons.
- On June 27, the individual has placed two bets on the MLB card, one on the Toronto Blue Jays against the Boston Red Sox and another on the Seattle Mariners against the Texas Rangers.
- The individual believes that the Toronto Blue Jays, led by Jose Berrios, will continue their dominance over the Boston Red Sox, and the Seattle Mariners, with a better record against right-handed pitching, may win against the Texas Rangers.
