Running it back: What are the odds Blue Jays recreate last year's magic?
The Toronto Blue Jays captured the hearts of an entire nation during last year's World Series run, getting within two outs from being crowned champions before disaster struck.
While disappointment may still linger for Blue Jays fans, it's time to turn the page to a new season full of hope, especially knowing Toronto has a solid shot at making another deep postseason run.
At +1400 (6.7% implied probability), the Blue Jays are tied for the fifth-shortest odds to win the World Series. They also hold the third-shortest odds to claim the American League pennant at +600, behind the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners.
World Series odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Dodgers | +225 |
| Yankees | +900 |
| Mets | +1200 |
| Mariners | +1200 |
| Phillies | +1400 |
| Blue Jays | +1400 |
| Braves | +1500 |
| Red Sox | +1600 |
| Tigers | +1600 |
| Cubs | +1800 |
| Orioles | +2000 |
| Astros | +2000 |
Additionally, Toronto is -220 (68.8% implied probability) to make the playoffs, suggesting fans can expect more meaningful baseball at Rogers Centre late into the season.
Though the roster that nearly delivered the franchise's first World Series title since 1993 is mostly returning, shortstop Bo Bichette's departure to the New York Mets in free agency leaves a sizable hole at the top of the lineup.
To fill the void, Toronto landed Kazuma Okamoto, a six-time All-Star and three-time home run leader in Japan. Okamoto is among the favorites to win the American League Rookie of the Year award at +500.
Toronto still has Vladimir Guerrero, who's fifth on the oddsboard at +1400 to win the American League MVP, George Springer, and Alejandro Kirk to power its lineup.
The Blue Jays also made a huge splash by signing Dylan Cease, one of the premier free-agent pitchers, to create a top rotation in baseball. Alongside Cease, the Jays' deep pitching staff boasts Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, Trey Yesavage (he'll start the year on the injured list), and Cody Ponce, signed from the Korean league. Toronto also has José Berríos and Max Scherzer as starting options.
However, as Blue Jays fans are far too familiar with, Toronto will have to battle a loaded AL East to make another run.
The Yankees, Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, and Baltimore Orioles all have odds of +2000 or shorter to win the World Series, making the AL East by far the strongest division in baseball. The Orioles are -110 to reach the postseason (52.4% implied probability), while even the Tampa Bay Rays, who are expected to be the division's worst team, are +300 (25% implied probability) to get to the playoffs.
AL East odds
| Team | Division odds | Team Total |
|---|---|---|
| Yankees | +185 | 90.5 |
| Blue Jays | +260 | 88.5 |
| Red Sox | +325 | 87.5 |
| Orioles | +400 | 85.5 |
| Rays | +2500 | 77.5 |
👉 Think the Blue Jays can win the AL East? Bet on it with theScore Bet
The Blue Jays won 94 games last season and will almost certainly need 90-plus victories this year to take the division. Not counting the campaign affected by the pandemic, the last time an AL East champion had fewer than 90 wins was the 1995 Red Sox.
Toronto's win total for 2026 is set at 88.5, with the under a slight -120 favorite. That total projects as the eighth-highest in the majors and the third-highest in the American League.
If betting odds and projected team totals mean anything, Blue Jays fans should be in for another exciting season, even with much higher expectations than last year.
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