Published Mar 30, 8:13pm ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Mar 30, 8:13pm ET
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Updated Mar 30, 8:13pm ET
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| Toronto Blue Jays | -245 |
| Colorado Rockies | +219 |
Colorado is embarking on another new start with President of Baseball Operations Paul DePodesta and General Manager Josh Byrnes. They have nowhere to go but up after losing 119 games in 2025. They are off to another slow start this season, but that was expected.
Ryan Feltner has been with the club since 2021. At 28, he is a potential trade candidate at midseason if he pitches well. He made only 6 starts in 2025 due to a right shoulder problem and a back injury. This spring, he posted a 9.56 ERA in 6 appearances. He tossed 16 innings, allowed 18 hits, and 17 earned runs. He walked 11 and struck out 17.
Against Scherzer, the Rockies have limited experience. Ezequiel Tovar is 0 for 3 with 2 K's. Edouard Julien is 1 for 8 with a double and 5 K's.
There's really not much to say about the Rockies in 2026 since this is tantamount to an expansion team. They have some young talent with Kyle Karros, Tovar, and Jordan Beck. This season is all about assessment and development.
Max Scherzer returns for another season in his Hall of Fame career. He's obviously not what he was in his dominating heyday with the Tigers and Nationals, but he has guile and intensity. This spring, he threw 13.2 innings, allowed 4 hits, no runs, walked 5, and struck out 9.
The Blue Jays simply need veteran competence. He can't blow hitters away anymore.
Scherzer was up and down in 2025, starting 17 games, posting a 0.3 bWAR, and posting a 5-5 record. He still struck out 82 in 85 innings. He was solid in Toronto's run to Game 7 of the World Series, starting 3 games and posting a 3.77 ERA.
For the Jays against Feltner, Jesus Sanchez is batting .364 in 11 at-bats with 2 homers and 4 RBI. Daulton Varsho is 2 for 5 with a home run.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is 0 for 2 with a walk. George Springer is 0 for 3. Alejandro Kirk is 0 for 3.
The Rockies are almost certainly going to lose 100 games this season. The Blue Jays are hoping to finish the job they started in 2025 when they were within 1 run of winning their first championship since 1993.
On paper, this looks like a mismatch. However, Feltner has pitched reasonably well against the Blue Jays' hitters and Scherzer is making his first start of the regular season at an advanced age.
Still, the Blue Jays are heavily favored and should take the victory at home over the Rockies.
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Toronto Blue Jays -245
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