2022 MLB Picks: Toronto Blue Jays are This Season's Sleeping Giant

Eric Uribe
By , Updated on: Apr 26, 2022 12:00 AM
2022 MLB Picks: Toronto Blue Jays are This Season's Sleeping Giant

Early season betting odds on MLB games can get pretty wacky. Linemakers are still trying to figure out a bulk of the competitive landscape yet the sheer number of matchups taking place doesn't give them a lot of time to detect patterns before making decisions. Odds providers will invariably have a hold on the smaller and bigger picture, including the odds to win the 2022 World Series, but the first 10 to 15 percent of the schedule or so is a matter of trial and error for everyone.

Incidentally, this means it's an opportune time for us to use our daily MLB picks in 2022 to tackle some of the more macro issues and questions that stand out. And entering games on Tuesday, April 26, we're currently wondering whether the Toronto Blue Jays are the sleeping giant that's on the verge of waking up.

Other 2022 MLB game predictions are in our pocket, as well. But before we get to them, let's have a look at the latest MLB betting odds for all of the games taking place on Tuesday:

FavoriteMyBookieMyBookieUnderdog
Milwaukee Brewers-180+152Pittsburgh Pirates
San Diego Padres-176+148Cincinnati Reds
Philadelphia Phillies-172+144Colorado Rockies
Miami Marlins-136+116Washington Nationals
New York Yankees-270+220Baltimore Orioles
Toronto Blue Jays-200+168Boston Red Sox
Chicago White Sox-158+134Kansas City Royals
Atlanta Braves-166+140Chicago Cubs
Minnesota Twins-144+122Detroit Tigers
New York Mets-112-104St. Louis Cardinals
Houston Astros-118+100Texas Rangers
LA Angels-164+138Cleveland Guardians
LA Dodgers-198+166Arizona Diamondbacks
San Francisco Giants-275+225Oakland Athletics

While these baseball betting lines shouldn't move too much, they are subject to tweaks right up until the opening pitch. So go ahead and feel free to double-check all MLB odds if you haven't already made your picks.

And speaking of things you should absolutely do: Make sure to check out our reviews of the top online sportsbooks. All the information we've provided will help you find everything from the best 2022 MLB betting sites to the best sportsbook bonuses in 2022.

The Blue Jays Aren't Coming...They're Here

As the Blue Jays ready themselves to face off against the Boston Red Sox, we can't help but wonder why more people aren't talking about them as potential World Series contenders.

Sure, the pitching staff in Toronto is murky. They rank middle of the road in ERA and are hovering near the bottom 10 in batting average. But the Blue Jays aren't sitting atop the American League East Division by accident, either.

This offense is outright terrifying. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. yet again looks like an MVP candidate, but he's getting plenty of help from the bats around him, as well. The Blue Jays' collective power, in particular, is almost unmatched. They rank first in slugging percentage by a fairly significant margin.

Picking Toronto to win on Tuesday is an even easier decision given the Red Sox's struggles in recent weeks. They have lost three straight and are hitting just .225 as a team from behind the plate.

OSB Prediction: Toronto Blue Jays (-200)

Toronto Blue Jays To beat the Boston Red Sox
MyBookie
-200

Expect the Yankees to Keep on Streaking vs. the Orioles

Many started worrying about the New York Yankees as they got off to a slow start, one that included dropping a series to these very Baltimore Orioles. That's all history. Sort of.

The Yankees have won four straight on the back of dominant performances at home, and they now also own the American League's second largest run differential. Even more encouraging, they've reached this point without playing up to snuff on offense. Their batting order will inevitably get on base more.

Until then, super strong pitching has carried New York. They rank third in ERA and should have no issue upending the Orioles this time around. 

OSB Prediction: New York Yankees (-270)

New York Yankees To beat the Baltimore Orioles
MyBookie
-270

Will the Astros Ever Find Their Groove?

Though the Houston Astros entered the season as the odds-on favorites to win the American League West Division, they currently find themselves in second to last place and having lost seven of their past 10 games.

Key absences haven't helped matters, but it's probably time to start wondering whether they've got the offensive firepower necessary to hang with heavier weights. Houston is 20th in on-base-plus-slugging percentage, a wildly disappointing ranking relative to the talent on the roster.

On the bright side, a matchup with the Texas Rangers is always a good cure for slumping clubs.

OSB Prediction: Houston Astros (-118)

Houston Astros To beat the Texas Rangers
MyBookie
-118

Beware of the White Sox's Struggles as They Face the Royals

Injuries have decimated the Chicago White Sox early on. And while it looked like they would be able to navigate this stretch of the season without much damage to their record, the shallowness of their roster is starting to catch up with them.

Chicago has lost seven straight, during which time they have fallen into the bottom 10 of both ERA and on-base-plus-slugging percentage. They should be able to right the ship as they get healthier, but on Tuesday specifically, we prefer the Kansas City Royals.

OSB Prediction: Kansas City Royals (+134)

Kansas City Royals To beat the Chicago White Sox
MyBookie
+134

Consider the Dodgers a Lock vs. the Diamondbacks

Imagine betting against the Los Angeles Dodgers ever, let alone when they're facing an Arizona Diamondbacks team that might be MLB's worst.

We don't mean to oversimplify this. But the Dodgers arguably have the best pitching staff and batting order in the entire league. We're honestly surprised they're not a heavier favorite here.

OSB Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers (-198)

Los Angeles Dodgers To beat the Arizona Diamondbacks
MyBookie
-198

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Meet the author

Eric Uribe

Eric was born and raised in Nevada — the center of gambling in the United States. Throw in his natural interest in sports, and Eric was destined to be a sports bettor. This came to a head once Eric turned 21. Already a working sports journalist while in college, Er...

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