Toronto Blue Jays vs Miami Marlins Picks and Predictions September 28th 2024

After abrupt managerial change, Marlins continue series vs. Jays

Toronto is the heavy favorite on the money line today, as they are sitting at -167 compared to the Marlins at +141. This interleague matchup is taking place at 3:07 PM ET from Rogers Centre in Toronto, and the Blue Jays are 5th in the AL East, while the Marlins are 5th in the NL East.

The over/under line is currently at 8.5 runs, and SNET will be televising this one. Xzavion Curry is starting for the Marlins, and they are 60-100, while the Blue Jays are going with Yariel Rodriguez.

Miami vs. Toronto Key Information

• Teams: Marlins at Blue Jays
• Where: Rogers Centre Toronto
• Date: Saturday, September 28th
• Betting Odds TOR -167 | MIA +141 O/U 8.5

The Marlins Can Win If…

Miami is sending Xzavion Curry to the mound today, and he has made 15 appearances this year, including four starts. Curry’s ERA for the season is 5.02, along with a record of 1-2. Looking at his overall numbers, opponents are batting .242 this year. The last time he pitched was on September 22nd out of the bullpen. In that outing, he went one inning, giving up one earned run, one hit, and one walk. Curry didn’t give up a homer in that appearance. He finished with a no-decision in each of his last three outings. So far, he has made seven appearances on the road and has a record of 1-2 with a 3.17 ERA.

As a team, the Marlins are averaging just 3.9 runs per game, which is 28th in the league. However, they have been slightly better at home, averaging 4.2 runs per game. Overall, they are batting .243, which is 9th in the league, but their on-base percentage of .300 is just 20th in the MLB. Miami’s team OPS of .678 is also 25th in the league.

Jake Burger has been the Marlins’ top power threat this season, as his 29 home runs are 13th in the league. He also leads the team with 76 RBIs. Over his last nine games, Jonah Bride has gone 11/34 with four homers and seven RBIs. This has extended his hitting streak to six games.

• The Marlins are 5-5 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Marlins are 4-1 vs. the run line.
• Miami has an over/under record of 6-3-1 in their last ten games.
• The Marlins have an average of 6.8 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Marlins are 4-6
• Looking back across the Marlins last five games as the favorite, they are 3-2
• Miami has gone 2-1 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Marlins have averaged 4.6 runs per game on offense

The Blue Jays Can Win If…

Right-hander Yariel Rodríguez gets the start for the Blue Jays today as he faces the Marlins at home. He has made 20 starts this season and has a record of 1-7 with an ERA of 4.41. Opponents are batting .223 this season off Rodríguez, and he has a WHIP of 1.32. This year, he has turned in two quality starts and is averaging 8.82 strikeouts per nine innings. In his last outing, Rodríguez took the loss, giving up three earned runs in four innings of work. Before that, he had gone three straight outings without taking the loss.

For the season, the Blue Jays are averaging 4.2 runs per game, which is only 20th in the league. As a team, they are batting .243, which is 9th in the league. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been their top hitter this season, as he is batting .326 with a league-leading 103 RBIs and 30 home runs, which is 12th in the MLB. He has also gone 11/26 in his last six games.

George Springer comes into the game on a three-game hitting streak, but he is batting just .220 for the season. Springer does have 19 homers, which is 2nd on the team, and is 3rd on the team with 56 RBIs. Ernie Clement has also been swinging a hot bat of late, going 7/21 in his last six games.

• The Blue Jays are 2-8 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Blue Jays are 2-3 vs. the run line.
• Toronto has an over/under record of 3-7 in their last ten games.
• The Blue Jays have an average of 4.0 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Blue Jays are 2-8
• Looking back across the Blue Jays last five games as the favorite, they are 1-4
• Toronto has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Blue Jays have averaged 3.3 runs per game on offense

The Lean

There should be no shortage of offense in today’s Marlins and Blue Jays matchup, and not only are we leaning towards the Marlins picking up the win, but we like our chances of this one going over 8.5 runs. Between the two starters, we have Xzavion Curry finishing with more strikeouts than Yariel Rodríguez for the Blue Jays.

MLB EXPERT PICKS, PREDICTION & BETTING TIPS

The Miami Marlins are facing a turbulent close to their season, marked by the unexpected departure of manager Skip Schumaker. As they continue their three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday afternoon, the Marlins must press on without their skipper, who has stepped away due to a family health issue. Late Friday, it was reported that Schumaker, who was set to become a free agent after this season, will not be returning to the Marlins in 2024.

Schumaker’s final game at the helm saw the Marlins (60-100) deliver a resounding 15-5 blowout victory over the Blue Jays (74-86) in the series opener. Despite the upheaval, the team rallied to showcase one of their best offensive performances of the season.

Marlins Rally Around Stellar Performance in Schumaker’s Final Game

The Marlins arrived in Toronto early Friday morning, fatigued after a 13-inning, 8-6 victory over the Minnesota Twins the previous night. Despite the grueling schedule, Miami played with remarkable energy, dominating the Blue Jays, who had Thursday off.

Xavier Edwards was the standout performer, tying a major-league record with three triples in a single game. Edwards collected four hits and drove in four runs, setting a Marlins franchise record in the process.

“I got to show off my full speed,” Edwards said. “It was nice to open up the legs a little bit.”

His historic night underscores the resilience of the Marlins, a team enduring a disappointing season but still able to deliver exciting performances. Edwards’ feat made him the first Marlins player to accomplish the three-triple mark, and the first in the majors since Yasiel Puig did so in 2014.

Jonah Bride also had a career game for the Marlins, hitting two home runs and collecting three RBIs—his first multi-homer performance in the major leagues. Additionally, several former Blue Jays players, including Otto Lopez and Griffin Conine, had productive nights against their former club. Lopez, who was designated for assignment by Toronto in February, went 2-for-3 with a walk, while Conine added a home run and three RBIs, making the night even more bittersweet for the home team.

Toronto Blue Jays: Struggles and Milestones

While the Marlins surged, the Blue Jays continued to struggle, with starting pitcher Jose Berrios failing to secure his 17th win of the season for the second consecutive start. Berrios lasted only three innings, allowing six runs on six hits. Despite this, Blue Jays manager John Schneider emphasized Berrios’ strong season overall.

“It was uncharacteristic of him,” Schneider said. “But you look back at his year and he’s been awesome. He’s been consistent. He’s been reliable.”

Though the game was a blowout, there were a few bright spots for Toronto. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went 2-for-3 with a sacrifice fly, inching closer to his 200th hit of the season. Guerrero is on the verge of becoming just the sixth player in Blue Jays history to reach this milestone. His .326 batting average trails only Bobby Witt Jr.’s .332 for the American League lead.

Catcher Alejandro Kirk extended his hit streak to 18 games, going 2-for-5 with an RBI. During the streak, Kirk is hitting .316 (24-for-76), helping to stabilize the Blue Jays’ lineup during a challenging stretch of the season.

Pitching Matchups: A Battle of Newcomers

The series continues Saturday with both teams sending relatively inexperienced starters to the mound. Toronto will turn to right-hander Yariel Rodriguez (1-7, 4.41 ERA), who will be making his first career appearance against the Marlins. Miami counters with right-hander Xzavion Curry (1-2, 5.02 ERA), who similarly has never faced Toronto before.

Both pitchers are hoping to cap off their seasons on a positive note, and with neither team vying for postseason contention, it remains to be seen how each will perform under lower-stakes conditions.

Schumaker’s Exit Adds Uncertainty for Marlins’ Future

While the Marlins’ on-field performance has shown flashes of promise, Schumaker’s sudden departure throws a wrench into the club’s offseason plans. His exit, following his announcement to players after Friday’s game, suggests that the Marlins will need to reevaluate their direction heading into 2024.

Despite the challenges of this season, Schumaker leaves behind a team that has displayed heart and hustle, even in the face of adversity. As the Marlins finish their final series under interim management, all eyes will be on the club’s leadership decisions and potential roster changes in the months ahead.

Key Takeaways: Marlins and Blue Jays in Transition

The first game of this final series highlighted two teams in very different positions. The Marlins, despite their poor season record, showed that they still have young talent capable of breakout performances. Xavier Edwards’ historic game and Jonah Bride’s power surge were testaments to this potential.

Meanwhile, the Blue Jays, despite being out of postseason contention, are still producing individual milestones, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. nearing 200 hits and Alejandro Kirk riding an impressive hitting streak.

The managerial change in Miami adds a layer of intrigue to the final days of the season. How the Marlins react in the next two games may offer a glimpse into the future of this franchise, which faces an offseason of uncertainty.