The Toronto Blue Jays (60-42) and Detroit Tigers (60-43) begin a 4-game series Thursday between division leaders. First pitch from Comerica Park in Detroit is set for 6:40 p.m (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Blue Jays vs. Tigers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Detroit leads 2-1

AL East-leading Toronto begins an 8-game road trip riding momentum after an 8-4 win over the New York Yankees on Wednesday to take the series. The Blue Jays have won 5 of their first 6 games since the All-Star break and now hold a 4-game lead in the AL East.

AL Central-leading Detroit returns home looking to regroup after a tough stretch. They were just swept in Pittsburgh by the Pirates, getting outscored 17-6 over the 3-game series. Detroit has dropped 9 of its last 10 games, a skid that started before the All-Star break and has continued into the second half.

Blue Jays at Detroit projected starters

LHP Eric Lauer vs. RHP Reese Olson

Lauer (5-2, 2.80 ERA) is making his 16th appearance and 10th start. He has a 0.97 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 9.6 K/9 through 61 innings.

Last start: Win, 6 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 7 K in 6-3 home victory against San Francisco Giants Saturday2025 road stats: 3-2, 3.00 ERA (33 IP, 11 ER), 1.18 WHIP, 28 H, 11 BB, 33 K in 9 appearances (5 starts)Last start vs. Tigers: No-decision, 3 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 5 K in 2-1 home victory May 17Career vs. Tigers: 0-2, 13.50 ERA (8 IP, 12 ER), 2.75 WHIP, 15.8 K/9 in 3 starts

Olson (4-3, 2.71 ERA) is making his 13th start. He has a 1.19 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9 and 8.7 K/9 through 63 innings.

Last start: Win, 5 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 6 K in 2-0 road loss against Texas Rangers Friday2025 home stats: 3-1, 2.30 ERA (27 1/3 IP, 7 ER), 1.28 WHIP, 26 H, 9 BB, 23 K in 5 startsLast start vs. Blue Jays: No-decision, 6 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 6 K in 2-1 road loss May 17Career vs. Blue Jays: 1-0, 0.55 ERA (16 1/3 IP, 1 ER), 0.74 WHIP, 5.5 K/9 in 4 appearances (3 starts)

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Blue Jays at Detroit odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:14 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Blue Jays +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Tigers -135 (bet $135 to win $100)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jays +1.5 (-185) | Tigers -1.5 (+150)Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)Blue Jays at Detroit picks and predictionsPrediction

Blue Jays 4, Tigers 2

BET BLUE JAYS (+115).

It’s hard to pass up the Blue Jays at plus money given the current direction of both teams. Toronto enters Thursday’s matchup swinging hot bats, averaging 4.8 runs per game (RPG) over their last 10 contests, while Detroit has struggled, producing just 2.6 RPG in that same span. The Tigers’ early-season magic has faded—they’re hitting just .209 over the past 15 days, the worst in the majors. The Blue Jays, meanwhile, are hitting .274 over that stretch, fourth-best in MLB.

Toronto looks like a legitimate postseason contender, while Detroit continues to slide. These teams last met on May 17, and both starters pitched well. However, Toronto’s Lauer has allowed more than 2 earned runs just once in his last 7 starts. Olson, who hasn’t recorded a win since May 4, faces a tough task against Toronto’s surging offense.

Even though Detroit has been better at home, the Blue Jays have the advantage on the mound and at the plate. Don’t expect Detroit’s struggling bats to suddenly wake up. Back Toronto to take the opener on Thursday.

PASS.

I’ll keep my bet to the moneyline getting those good odds.

BOLD UNDER 8.5 (+100).

Thursday’s matchup sets up well for another Under. Both starters have been sharp — Olson has allowed only 3 earned runs across his last 4 outings, while Lauer has surrendered just 13 runs in his past 7 starts. Their previous head-to-head ended 2-1, and both carry ERAs under 3. The Tigers have hit the Under in 5 of their last 6 games, and the series has leaned Under going 5-4-1 in their last 10 meetings.

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