Sturday MLB Odds: Blue Jays are Desperate for a Win Against Mariners

There are a number of teams that are hovering right around the playoff picture at this stage of the season. How these teams perform in June will likely dictate their MLB odds at the trade deadline. The Toronto Blue Jays are in that group, and in order to catch the Yankees, they are going to have to find a run of good form that was absent in the first half. They will play the second game of a 3-game series versus the Mariners in Seattle on Saturday.

Toronto vs. Seattle MLB Game Info

Date/Time: Saturday, July 25th, 4:10 PM Venue: Safeco Field, Seattle, WA TV: SNET, TVA Sports Radio: SN590 Opening Line: Toronto -115

.@BlueJays send @1DrewHutch to the hill for the series opener in Seattle. http://t.co/WTjCLo8XJD #ComeTogether pic.twitter.com/expQo8sRqR

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 24, 2015

The Blue Jays (49-48) have clawed their way into the second spot in the AL East, but are still5.5 games off the pace being set by the New York Yankees. Toronto closed out the first half in pretty poor form, but have come back nicely to get the second half off to a good start. They have been steady, if not spectacular, and have managed to win each of their first two series. The way in which they are winning games right now is a little different than what we have been used to seeing this season, and that may be a good thing. They are not hammering home runs the way they were in the first half, but they haven’t had to, as their pitching is better than it has been for most of the season. It will be Marco Estrada (7-5, 3.22 ERA) who will start for the Jays. Estrada has been one of Toronto’s most consistent starters this season, but he could use some run support. The Seattle Mariners (44-52) have the thankless task of playing in a division that is home to the LA Angels and the Houston Astros, both of whom are having very good seasons. The Mariners have a pretty young squad, and are in possession of a number of players who they could dangle as trade bait. The feeling is, though, that they are going to try and ride it out with their young guys, especially since they don’t really hold out much hope of getting back into the playoff picture. They are 10.5 games off the pace right now, and the Angels and Astros don’t really look as though they are going into the tank anytime soon. JA Happ (4-5, 4.12 ERA) will get the start for the Mariners on Saturday. Seattle has lost 8 of the last 9 games with Happ as the starter.

MLB Injuries

Toronto are well aware of the need for wins right now, and I think they can use that as the inspiration they need to win.