Blue Jays vs. Athletics prediction and odds for Monday, Sept. 4 (Jays in prime spot)

The Toronto Blue Jays need to handle business against Oakland to keep up in the playoff chase.

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Jose Berrios.
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Jose Berrios. / Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY
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The Toronto Blue Jays haven’t really taken advantage of the Houston Astros (swept by the New York Yankees this weekend) and Texas Rangers (blown division lead) struggling, but they are still just 1.5 games out of a wild card spot in the American League.

The bright side for Toronto? 

Houston and Texas play each other this week, which means one of them has to lose games, giving the Jays a chance to pick up ground. Plus, Toronto faces one of Major League Baseball’s worst teams to open the week – the Oakland Athletics.

Oakland enters this series on a three-game winning streak, but Toronto has to prove it can win these games to truly contend for a playoff spot. Jose Berrios gets the ball for the Jays against Oakland’s young lefty Ken Waldichuk. 

Blue Jays vs. Athletics probable pitchers for Monday, Sept. 4

  • Blue Jays: Jose Berrios (righty) – 9-10, 3.70 ERA
  • A’s: Ken Waldichuk (lefty) – 2-7, 5.92 ERA

Thinking of betting on this game? Well, if you use the link below to sign up for DraftKings Sportsbook, you’ll instantly receive $200 in bonus bets if you deposit and wager $5 on any game – including this one. 

Let’s dive into the odds and my best bet for this game: 

Blue Jays vs. Athletics odds, run line and total

Blue Jays vs. Athletics prediction and pick

The Blue Jays need to win this game with Berrios on the mound, but he was far from his best in the month of August.

Berrios posted a 2.77 ERA in 11 starts in June and July, but that wasn’t the case last month. The righty made five August starts, posting a 5.53 ERA and allowing five or more runs in three of those outings. 

That’s less than ideal. 

Still, I think he has the advantage here over Waldichuk, who has worked out of the bullpen and in the rotation this season – leading to him having a lot of short starts. 

That’s a major issue since Oakland has the worst bullpen ERA in Major League Baseball this season at 5.32. 

The Jays are also sixth in the league in OPS against left-handed pitching, so I think they’ll give Berrios enough run support against an Oakland team that is dead last in MLB in OPS this season.


Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Find Peter Dewey's betting record here.