Cincinnati Reds vs Toronto Blue Jays Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for Friday September 25 2026

By: Kyle Kargel Published 09/25/2026, 08:21 AM ET
Reds vs Blue Jays picks

The Cincinnati Reds head north to face the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 25, 2026 at 7:07 PM ET, and this Reds vs Blue Jays prediction hinges on a clear gap between the two starting pitchers. Toronto sends right-hander Jose Soriano, who owns a 3.72 ERA across 174.1 innings, against Cincinnati left-hander Nick Lodolo, who carries a 5.04 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP into this road start. Neither team is playing well, with Cincinnati at 74-85 and 2-3 over its last five and Toronto at 77-82 after dropping four of five. The Reds bring a power-heavy lineup that can punish mistakes, and the total sits at 7.5 with every dollar in the market on the Over. Below is our full breakdown with odds, line movement, matchup analysis, injuries and our complete betting card. For more daily plays around the league, check out our MLB predictions.

Reds vs Blue Jays TLDR: Quick Picks and Prediction

  • Side Pick: Blue Jays Moneyline -136
  • Total Pick: Over 7.5 (-112)
  • Final Score Prediction: Blue Jays 5, Reds 3
  • Probable Starters: Nick Lodolo (CIN) vs Jose Soriano (TOR)

Odds and Line Movement

Current Odds

Team Moneyline Total Over Under
Cincinnati Reds +113 7.5 -112 -108
Toronto Blue Jays -136 7.5 -112 -108

Line Movement - Moneyline

Date Cincinnati Toronto Public ($, #)
09/24 +113 -136

Line Movement - Total

Date Over Under Public ($, #)
09/25 7.5 -112 7.5 -108 OV 100%, OV 100%
09/25 7.5 -112 7.5 -107
09/24 7.5 -112 7.5 -108
09/24 7.5 -112 7.5 -107

The moneyline has held firm since opening, with Toronto at -136 and Cincinnati at +113. That stability suggests the market is comfortable with the price on the home favorite. The total has also been rock solid at 7.5, with the Over sitting at -112 throughout and the Under shifting only between -107 and -108. The key detail is the betting split. The latest figures show 100 percent of the money and 100 percent of the tickets on the Over. The number has not moved yet despite that one-sided action, which means bettors can still get Over 7.5 at the original price.

Key Matchups and Game Preview: Reds at Blue Jays

Cincinnati and Toronto Stumble Into the Series

Neither club arrives in strong form. Cincinnati is 74-85 and has gone 2-3 over its last five games. Toronto is 77-82 and has dropped four of its last five. With both teams struggling, recent momentum does not tip the scales in either direction. That puts the emphasis on the starting pitching matchup and the season-long pitching profiles, and that is where Toronto separates itself.

Jose Soriano Gives the Blue Jays the Mound Edge

Soriano has been the steadier starter in this matchup by a wide margin. He carries a 12-8 record with a 3.72 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP across 174.1 innings, striking out 167 batters. That combination of volume, strikeouts and baserunner control makes him a reliable option at home. The one caution is recent form. Soriano has allowed nine earned runs over his last two outings, so he has not been untouchable lately. Against a Cincinnati lineup built on power, that recent vulnerability is one reason we expect runs on both sides of this game.

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Nick Lodolo's Struggles Put the Reds in a Hole

Lodolo has had a difficult season. He is 3-6 with a 5.04 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP across 103.2 innings. He has allowed 108 hits, 44 walks and 20 home runs while striking out 80. Allowing more than a hit per inning with a high walk rate means Lodolo regularly pitches with runners on base, and 20 home runs in just over 100 innings is a concerning rate. His higher WHIP and home run rate carry into a road matchup where he will need to be sharp to keep Toronto off the board.

Cincinnati's Power-Heavy Offense

Cincinnati's offense is an all-or-nothing unit. The Reds have hit just .228 as a team, but they have produced 211 home runs with a .395 slugging percentage. That profile means Cincinnati can score in bunches even when it is not stringing hits together. Against a Soriano who has been hit hard in his last two outings, the Reds have enough power to threaten, which makes the Over an attractive play regardless of which side wins.

Stewart and De La Cruz Fuel the Reds

Sal Stewart has been a major source of Cincinnati's production, batting .266 with 32 home runs and 110 RBI. He is the Reds' most dangerous run producer and the bat Soriano most needs to avoid. Elly De La Cruz adds a complete offensive skill set, hitting .285 with a .367 on-base percentage and a .521 slugging percentage. De La Cruz getting on base in front of Stewart is Cincinnati's best formula for crooked numbers.

Okamoto and Clement Lead the Blue Jays

Toronto has hit .248 as a team, making more consistent contact than Cincinnati, but it owns only 150 home runs. Kazuma Okamoto provides most of the power with 33 home runs and 89 RBI, and he is the Blue Jays hitter most likely to punish Lodolo's home run issues. Ernie Clement carries a .264 average and gives Toronto another steady contact bat. Against a pitcher with a 1.47 WHIP, Toronto's contact-oriented approach should generate plenty of baserunners and scoring chances.

Toronto's Run Prevention Advantage

Beyond the starters, Toronto's overall pitching numbers are superior. The Blue Jays own a 3.92 team ERA and a 1.30 WHIP, compared with Cincinnati's 4.85 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. That nearly one-run gap in team ERA becomes especially relevant once the bullpens take over, and it is a big reason Toronto holds the stronger overall matchup. Cincinnati has enough power to hang around, but Toronto's deeper run-prevention profile should help it close out the win.

  • Cincinnati is 74-85 and has gone 2-3 over its last five games.
  • Toronto is 77-82 and has lost four of its last five games.
  • Cincinnati has hit 211 home runs this season compared with 150 for Toronto.
  • Toronto holds a 3.92 team ERA compared with Cincinnati's 4.85.
  • Soriano has allowed nine earned runs over his last two outings.
  • The moneyline has held at Toronto -136 and Cincinnati +113.
  • The total has remained at 7.5 with the Over at -112 throughout.
  • The latest total split shows 100 percent of the money and 100 percent of the tickets on the Over.

Blue Jays Recent Slide

Toronto has lost four of its last five, which could make some bettors hesitant to lay -136. However, the pitching matchup is the more reliable indicator in this spot. Soriano's full-season body of work is far stronger than Lodolo's, and Toronto's team pitching numbers back that up. A struggling team with a clear starting pitching edge at home is still the right side.

Cincinnati's Home Run Volume

The Reds' 211 home runs are the defining trend for the total. Cincinnati does not need a high batting average to score when it is hitting the ball over the fence at this rate. Combine that power with Lodolo's 20 home runs allowed and Soriano's recent rough outings, and this game has the ingredients to clear 7.5.

Key Injuries and Things To Know: CIN vs TOR

Reds Injury Report

  • Chase Burns: Out, removing rotation depth.
  • Tony Santillan: Out, removing bullpen help.
  • Spencer Steer: Out, taking an important bat out of the lineup.

Cincinnati's absences hit every part of the roster. Losing Santillan weakens a bullpen that is already part of a staff with a 4.85 team ERA, which means Toronto should find scoring opportunities late if Lodolo exits early. Missing Steer also places more responsibility on Stewart and De La Cruz.

Blue Jays Injury Report

  • Anthony Santander: On the 60-day IL.
  • Brett Bateman: Day-to-day.
  • Shane Bieber: Unavailable or questionable.
  • Rudy Martin Jr.: Unavailable or questionable.
  • Jonatan Clase: Unavailable or questionable.

Toronto is short on depth as well, with Santander out and several players unavailable or questionable. The Blue Jays lineup leans heavily on Okamoto for power, but their contact-driven approach remains well suited to attacking a pitcher who allows as much traffic as Lodolo.

Reds vs Blue Jays Side and Over/Under Picks

Why the Blue Jays Are the Side

Toronto holds the clearer starting pitching advantage and the deeper run-prevention profile. Soriano's 3.72 ERA and 1.26 WHIP stack up well against Lodolo's 5.04 ERA and 1.47 WHIP, and the Blue Jays' 3.92 team ERA gives them an edge once the bullpens enter. Cincinnati's power can threaten, but the Reds' .228 team average and depleted pitching staff make them a tough road underdog to trust. The price has held steady at -136, which is a fair number for the home side in this matchup.

  • Side Pick: Blue Jays Moneyline -136

Why Cincinnati and Toronto Clear 7.5

Both sides have a clear path to scoring. Lodolo's high WHIP and home run rate give Toronto's contact hitters plenty of chances, while Cincinnati's 211 home runs give the Reds the ability to answer against a Soriano who has allowed nine earned runs in his last two starts. Both bullpens are thinned by injuries, and Cincinnati's staff owns a 4.85 ERA. The market is fully aligned, with 100 percent of the money and tickets on the Over, and the price has not moved yet.

  • Total Pick: Over 7.5 (-112)

Cincinnati vs Toronto Final Score Prediction

Expect Toronto's lineup to build traffic against Lodolo and push across enough runs to take control, with Okamoto providing the power. Cincinnati should get on the board through the long ball, with Stewart and De La Cruz leading the way against a Soriano who has been hittable lately. The Blue Jays' superior bullpen and team pitching close it out, and the combined scoring clears the total.

  • Final Score Prediction: Blue Jays 5, Reds 3
  • Side Pick: Blue Jays Moneyline -136
  • Total Pick: Over 7.5 (-112)

How to Wager On Reds vs Blue Jays

The Blue Jays moneyline at -136 has not budged since opening, so there is no urgency on the side, but it is still worth comparing prices across sportsbooks to find a cheaper number on Toronto. Our projected 5-3 result has the Blue Jays winning by two, so bettors looking for extra payout can consider a smaller position on Toronto's run line if their book offers a fair price.

The total is where timing matters most. With 100 percent of the money and tickets on the Over and the number still sitting at 7.5, there is a real chance the total moves to 8 before first pitch. Lock in Over 7.5 at -112 now while it is available. Because both picks point toward a Toronto win in a game with plenty of offense, pairing the Blue Jays moneyline with Over 7.5 fits the expected game script if your sportsbook offers fair correlated pricing. Keep your stakes consistent and avoid chasing the Over if the number climbs past 8.

For more data-driven tools to help you bet Reds vs Blue Jays and the rest of the MLB slate, explore our guide to AI picks. You can also compare platforms through our Dimers review and our Oddible review to find the tools that best suit your betting style.

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