The Friday night opener between the Cleveland Guardians and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on April 24, 2026, features a clash of pitching archetypes. We have a generational legend in Max Scherzer attempting to anchor a Toronto rotation, facing off against Cleveland’s rising ace, Gavin Williams, who has evolved into one of the most dominant arms in the American League.
The Pitching Breakdown
Gavin Williams (CLE): Williams has been nothing short of spectacular in 2026. Entering this start with a 2.12 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP, the hard-throwing righty is coming off a monster 11-strikeout performance against the Orioles. Williams currently leads the Guardians in nearly every metric, boasting an opponent batting average of just .133. His success is rooted in a triple-digit fastball that sets up a devastating curveball—a pitch that opponents hit just .115 against last season. For Williams, the only hurdle is occasional command issues, but when he finds the zone, he is virtually unhittable.
Max Scherzer (TOR): At 41, Scherzer is battling the inevitability of time with mixed results. He enters with a bloated 7.16 ERA through four starts, though his 1.29 WHIP suggests he’s pitched into some bad luck. Scherzer is coming off his second quality start of the year, a six-inning outing where he finally avoided giving up a home run. While he no longer carries the 100-mph heat of his prime, his “gamesmanship” and ability to sequence pitches remain elite. Scherzer has historically performed well against Cleveland, and he’ll need every bit of that veteran savvy to navigate a Guardians lineup that thrives on making contact.
Best Bets for April 24
1. Cleveland Guardians Moneyline (-110) While the Blue Jays are playing at home, the pitching mismatch favors the visitors. Gavin Williams is currently in “Cy Young” form, whereas Scherzer is still searching for consistency. Cleveland has shown a knack for winning as slight road favorites this season, and their bullpen currently ranks in the top tier for “strikeouts per nine innings.” Expect Williams to hold the Toronto bats in check long enough for Cleveland’s persistent offense to scratch out a lead.
2. Under 7.5 Total Runs (+110) Rogers Centre often favors the Under when two high-strikeout righties are on the hill. Williams’ ability to suppress hits is league-leading, and Scherzer is coming off a start where his location looked much improved. With both teams featuring high-leverage relief corps that specialize in “shutting the door,” a 4-2 or 3-1 final score is highly probable. At plus-money, the Under offers the best value on the board.
3. Player Prop: Gavin Williams Over 7.5 Strikeouts (-115) The Blue Jays’ lineup has shown a tendency to struggle with high-velocity “ride” at the top of the zone. Williams is averaging 12.2 K/9 this season and has already posted two double-digit strikeout games in April. Given Toronto’s current chase rate, Williams should have no trouble clearing this mark if he pitches into the sixth inning.
The Sharp Edge: Keep an eye on Scherzer’s first-inning pitch count. If he needs more than 20 pitches to escape the opening frame, the Guardians’ “First Five Innings” (F5) run line becomes an attractive target, as Cleveland often pounces on starters who struggle with early-game efficiency.
Baseball Best Bets 