MLB Odds: Washington Visits Toronto for Interleague Series Opener

Following three consecutive series against American League East teams, the Toronto Blue Jays welcome the National League East-leading Washington Nationals to town this Friday. Both clubs have been inundated by injuries and have struggled with consistency of late, and both will look to get back on track during interleague play.

Toronto has struggled to find any kind of consistency over the past month and a half. While they started the season well, they’ve slumped to several games below .500 and sit 15.5 games behind the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox at press time. Those struggles have been largely due to an ineffective and beat-up pitching staff. Toronto ranks 23rd in team ERA, and their starters rank last in registering quality starts (20). No team will win consistently with numbers like that.

Washington, on the other hand, has an embarrassment of riches at the pitching position, led by starter Max Scherzer. The defending National League Cy Young winner leads the league in strikeouts (142) and ranks fourth in ERA (2.00). He’s the clear Ace of a Nationals’ staff that ranks third in the Majors in ERA, but the Nats may open the series without Stephen Strasburg, who is currently on the 10-day DL with shoulder inflammation. First pitch is scheduled for 7:07 PM ET.

MLB Odds: Nats Face Jays in Interleague Play

The Toronto Blue Jays will look to get back in the win column against the visiting Washington Nationals during the first game of a three-game set in Rogers Centre. Toronto may be gaining a key piece to their team ahead of the series, with Josh Donaldson (calf) expected back. He’ll be a welcome addition both on the field and in the clubhouse.

Washington is in the midst of an AL East interleague swing which sees them visit the Yankees, Jays and host the Orioles in succession. They’ll look to prey on the injury-riddled Jays and continue to build their lead in the NL East. Friday’s opener kicks off at 7:07 PM ET.