Blue Jays vs Mariners: Kikuchi Steers Blue Wave Towards Victory

Blue Jays vs Mariners: Kikuchi‘s Value as an Underdog

The Matchup

The Toronto Blue Jays are set to face the Seattle Mariners in a three-game series this weekend. The Blue Jays will be bringing their legions of West Coast fans to the Emerald City, which might even outnumber the Mariners‘ own fanbase during the series. It will be a homecoming of sorts for Yusei Kikuchi, who will make his first start against his former team since joining the Blue Jays. However, despite the familiarity factor, Seattle and rookie Bryce Miller are actually favored by MLB odds in this American League matchup. So, does Kikuchi have some value as a slight underdog against his former teammates?

Breaking Down Kikuchi‘s Performance

Kikuchi has had his ups and downs on the mound this season. He has given up a significant number of home runs, second only to Lance Lynn in the Majors. However, he has also shown the ability to strike out batters at a fair rate and has significantly reduced his walks compared to last season. This means that when Kikuchi does give up home runs, they tend to be solo shots rather than devastating multi-run bombs. Looking at the advanced numbers, Kikuchi has a respectable 4.64 expected ERA and a 1.28 WHIP, while ranking in the 58th percentile in strikeout rate.

The Matchup Advantage

The matchup with the Mariners seems to favor Kikuchi and the Blue Jays. Seattle has been inconsistent at the plate this season, particularly against left-handed pitchers. The Mariners rank 21st in batting average, 24th in OPS, and 19th in wRC+ when facing lefties. They also have the second-highest strikeout rate in baseball against left-handed pitchers. On the other hand, the Blue Jays have been strong against right-handed pitchers, ranking fourth in batting average, ninth in OPS, and seventh in wRC+. This suggests that Kikuchi could find success against a struggling Mariners lineup, while the Blue Jays’ offense poses great challenges to Bryce Miller.

Editorial: Kikuchi‘s Potential

Although Kikuchi has had some struggles this season, there are signs of improvement and potential for a strong performance against his former team. His ability to limit damage with solo home runs and his improved control compared to last season make him a viable option against the Mariners. Additionally, the offensive prowess of the Blue Jays against right-handed pitchers puts them in a favorable position against a rookie like Bryce Miller. While Kikuchi may be seen as the underdog in this matchup, he has the potential to surprise and lead the Blue Jays to victory.

Advice: Betting on the Blue Jays

For those looking to make a wager on this matchup, there are a few considerations. The Blue Jays opened as slight underdogs, but the line has shifted in their favor as the early money has come in on Toronto. If you’re inclined to bet on the Blue Jays’ five-inning moneyline, it might be worth considering a full-game moneyline bet as well. Additionally, the total for the game is set at 8 runs, with a slight lean towards the Over due to the Blue Jays’ strong offensive numbers against right-handed pitchers. However, if the total increases to 8.5 runs, it may be wise to stay away given the strong bullpens on both teams.