MLB.TV Free Game of the Day Betting Picks for Royals-Blue Jays (4/30/24)

The lengthy MLB season can cause some games to get lost in the shuffle, but MLB.TV provides fans with a Free Game of the Day throughout the regular season that can also be seen on FanDuel TV+ here, or also available on Apple TV, Roku, Android TV, Fire TV, and FanDuel Sportsbook.

Why not add to the viewing excitement by getting in on the MLB odds over at FanDuel Sportsbook?

For this article, we've got you covered with a betting guide for each Free Game of the Day. With that, let's take a look at some of the best bets for today's free game.

Note: Lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published. All stats come from FanGraphs and Baseball Savant unless noted otherwise. Please check here to make sure you're seeing the most updated projections.

MLB Betting Picks

Royals vs. Blue Jays Betting Odds: Spread, Total, and Moneyline

• Time: 7:08 p.m. ET
• Spread: Blue Jays -1.5 (+162)
• Total: 7.5
• Moneyline:
  • Royals: +114
  • Blue Jays: -134

Best Bet

Blue Jays Moneyline (-134)

The Toronto Blue Jays (15-15) and Kansas City Royals (17-13) will play the second contest of a three-game series this evening, and it's probably best to back the Jays.

Jose Berrios will be on the bump for Toronto, and if he's anything like he's been so far this season, it should be a smooth night.

Through 36 2/3 IP, Berrios has let up just five runs, good for a league-best 1.23 ERA. His most recent start came against this very Kansas City team, though the game was called in the fifth inning following a rain delay.

In that start, Berrios' stat line included 5.0 IP, 3 H, and 2 ER on 67 pitches. Prior to this 2-1 loss that was called short, the Jays were 5-0 when he took the mound.

Kansas City has been pretty average against righties this season, owning a .308 OBP (18th). and 100 wRC+ (16th). They've had some power off of this handedness with a .164 ISO (ninth), but Berrios has been pretty solid at containing the big bats.

While his 4.42 expected ERA and 4.26 SIERA dilutes that awesome ERA, he's been forcing ground balls at a respectable 47.5% rate and could have a nice go of it against a Royals team that has not been great at juicing the bases, struggling with an 8.2% walk rate (seventh-lowest).

Berrios isn't as dominant as his ERA indicates, but it's easy to picture him getting past Kansas City somewhat unscathed.

Cole Ragans will take the mound for the Royals, making tonight's contest an exact rematch of last week's five-inning game. Ragans has let up 13 ER through 30 IP this season, which makes for a 3.90 ERA. While he's paired that with a 27.8% K% (37 Ks), his 1.43 WHIP isn't particularly pretty.

I'm expecting the Jays to get on the board against a lefty pitcher who is vulnerable to allowing baserunners. Since the start of 2023, Toronto's active roster is sporting a .269 BA (sixth-best), .352 OBP (second-best), and 119 wRC+ (sixth-best) against left-handed pitchers, all while striking out at just a 17.9% clip (third-lowest).

Best Prop

Justin Turner To Record 4+ Total Bases (+500)

We're swinging for the fences on this one, but Justin Turner is in for an awesome matchup amid a great start to his 2024 campaign.

Dating back to 2023, Turner touts a .314 BA, .585 SLG, and 163 wRC+ against lefties. The power capabilities are certainly there, too, with his .270 ISO and 43.3% hard-hit rate.

He smashed a double in last week's matchup against Ragans and looks primed to make things interesting in tonight's full-go at him.

Turner has recorded at least four bases in 18.5% of his games this season, which would be equivalent to +440 odds. He's got a hot bat after hitting a pair of dingers in last night's game, so I'm willing to take a shot on him in this matchup.

While I'm interested in the value of this prop for the doubles machine, you can also get Turner To Record 2+ Bases at +135 or Turner To Record An RBI at +160.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.