Prediction: Arizona Diamondbacks VS Toronto Blue Jays 2025-06-18
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Toronto Blue Jays: A Tale of Power vs. Pitching Purgatory
June 18, 2025 | Rogers Centre | 7:07 PM ET
The Setup:
The Arizona Diamondbacks (36-35) roll into Toronto as -112 favorites, armed with a .446 slugging percentage (3rd in MLB) and 102 home runs (3rd in MLB). The Blue Jays (38-33), meanwhile, are a pitching staff in crisis, averaging just 6.8 strikeouts per game (dead last in MLB) and coming off a three-game losing streak. Eduardo RodrĂguez (5.25 ERA in his last 5 starts) gets the ball for Arizona, while Toronto’s starter remains a mystery—presumably a mystery with a fastball that can’t miss.
Key Stats to Know:
- Diamondbacks’ Offense: 5.1 runs/game, 102 HRs, .446 SLG (3rd MLB).
- Blue Jays’ Pitching: 6.8 Ks/game (MLB worst), 4.85 team ERA.
- RodrĂguez’s Struggles: Opponents are hitting .275 against him this season.
- Toronto’s Hitters: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (.310 BA), Bo Bichette (.305 BA) are elite, but they’ll need to feast on a Diamondbacks staff with a 4.76 ERA (25th MLB).
Injuries/Lineup Notes:
- Arizona’s core (Carroll, Perdomo, Naylor, Suarez) is healthy and hungry after a five-game win streak snapped by the Padres.
- Toronto’s George Springer is day-to-day with a minor hamstring tweak, but Guerrero Jr. and Bichette are locked in.
Odds Breakdown:
- Moneyline: Arizona -112, Toronto +112.
- Spread: Arizona -1.5 (-110), Toronto +1.5 (-110).
- Total: 9 runs (Even money).
Calculating the EV:
1. Implied Probability:
- Arizona: 112 / (112 + 100) = 53.2%
- Toronto: 100 / (112 + 100) = 46.8%
2. Adjust for Underdog Win Rate (41% in MLB):
- Toronto’s actual win chance is likely closer to 41%, not 46.8%.
- Split the difference: 44% for Toronto, 56% for Arizona.
Why Arizona is the Smart Play:
- The D-backs’ offense is a wrecking ball against Toronto’s punchless pitching.
- RodrĂguez’s 5.25 ERA in his last five starts is a red flag, but the Blue Jays’ staff is so bad that even a subpar Arizona starter should win.
- Historical context: Arizona is 53.2% as a favorite this season, slightly ahead of the 56% adjusted EV.
Best Bet: Arizona -1.5 (-110)
- Expected Value: With Arizona’s 56% implied win rate vs. the spread’s 53.2% implied, the -1.5 spread is a low-risk play.
- Why Not the Over? Both teams have power (70 HRs for Toronto, 102 for Arizona), but the Blue Jays’ pitching is so porous that Arizona could score 5+ runs easily. However, the spread is more straightforward.
Final Verdict:
The Diamondbacks are a solid bet to cover the 1.5-run spread. Toronto’s pitching is a sieve, and Arizona’s offense is a wrecking crew. Unless the Jays’ starter is a Cy Young candidate (unlikely), this is a one-way street.
EV Calculation:
- Arizona’s Implied Win Rate: 53.2%
- Adjusted Win Rate: 56%
- Spread EV: (56% * 100) - (44% * 100) = +12%
Final Pick: Arizona -1.5
“RodrĂguez may not be Cy Young material, but the Blue Jays’ pitching staff is Cy Young’s ghost. Take the D-backs and ride.”
Created: June 18, 2025, 11:34 a.m. GMT