Brewers vs Jays Betting Preview: Can Milwaukee Maintain Hold on NL Central?

The Toronto Blue Jays (28-26) will host the first-place Milwaukee Brewers (28-25) for a key Major League Baseball interleague series starting Tuesday at Rogers Centre. Read on for our Brewers vs Jays betting preview.

Torrid Start for Bichette

Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette has been among baseball’s best hitters at the first-quarter mark. Bichette — the son of former Colorado Rockies slugger Dante Bichette — is hitting .338 with 11 home runs and 37 RBI. Bichette’s 78 hits and 124 total bases lead the majors. He also ranks second in batting average, trailing only Miami second baseman Luis Arraez (.376), and third in WAR (3.1).

Bichette went 7-for-13 with six RBI in a weekend series against Minnesota and is riding an eight-game hit streak. He will certainly be worth watching in the Brewers vs Jays betting preview.

‘Quality Start’ for Jays Rotation

Toronto’s rotation has gotten off to a strong start despite Alex Manoah’s struggles. The Blue Jays have logged 26 quality starts over 54 games, third-most in the majors behind Seattle (29) and Texas (27). Right-hander Kevin Gausman has been Toronto’s best starter, registering a 3.03 ERA and 1.13 WHIP.

The one problem for Toronto’s staff has been the home run. Blue Jays pitchers have allowed 72 longballs, sixth-most in baseball. Milwaukee has given up 73, which is something to consider in our Brewers vs Jays betting preview.

Toronto’s Yusei Kikuchi, Tuesday’s starter, has been tagged for 14 home runs. Only one starter – Kansas City’s Jordan Lyles, with 16 — has allowed more.

First-place Brew Crew

At 28-25, Milwaukee is sitting in first place in the National League Central, 1.5 games up on Pittsburgh. It’s an encouraging start, but is it sustainable?

Keep in mind, the Brewers have been outscored by 21 runs. That usually means they’re due for regression. At the moment, they’re the only first-place team with a negative run differential. The Cardinals (+13), Pirates (+10) and Cubs (+4) have all fared better in that department.

Game 1

• Yusei Kikuchi vs Adrian Houser (Tuesday, 7:07 p.m., ET)

The 30-year-old Houser has provided a big boost to Milwaukee’s rotation since coming off the 10-day injured list with a right groin strain. He’s pitched 11.1 scoreless innings over his last two starts (Tampa Bay, Houston) on the MLB schedule and has a 2.25 ERA on the season.

Toronto is -1.5 (+115) on the run line and -165 to win outright, with Milwaukee priced at +1.5 (-165) and +140 on the moneyline. The over/under is Over 9.5 (-105) and Under 9.5 (-115).

Game 2

• Alex Manoah vs. Julio Teheran (Wednesday, 7:07 p.m., ET)

Manoah has struggled to recapture his form from last season, when he won 16 games and finished third in the American League Cy Young race behind Justin Verlander and Dylan Cease. The 25-year-old right-hander is 1-5 with an unsightly 5.53 ERA this season. Home runs (nine allowed in 53.2 innings) have been a problem.

He opposes Teheran, who limited San Francisco to one run over 5.0 innings on May 25. It was the first appearance in over two years for the former two-time All-Star.

Game 3

• Kevin Gausman vs Freddy Peralta (Thursday, 1:07 p.m., ET)

Gausman, Toronto’s ace, has struck out 89 batters over 68.1 innings. That ranks third in baseball behind Atlanta’s Spencer Strider and Los Angeles’ Shohei Ohtani.

Peralta is coming off his shortest start of the season, a 15-1 loss to San Francisco on May 26 in which he allowed eight hits and 10 runs (four earned) over 2.1 innings.

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