MLB Baseball
2026-07-29 - Toronto Blue Jays at Washington Nationals
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : Major League Baseball
Wednesday 29th July 2026 - Scheduled 1:05pm EST
6:05pm (British Time)
Preview
It is increasingly likely that the Toronto Blue Jays (49-59) are going to be dangling some key pieces of the roster to contenders ahead of the trade deadline. The team that were a couple of Outs away from winning the World Series less than twelve months ago have massively underachieved and they are 5.5 games out of the Wild Card spots in the American League, but Toronto do not look capable of putting together a sustained run of wins to close that gap.
The uncertainty about the situation does not help the team prepare in the final week before the trade deadline, but the Blue Jays have found it tough throughout 2026. They have not really threatened to contend in the American League East, which they won last year, while Toronto are beginning to see a real separation from those who will be pushing for Wild Card spots.
The same could be said for the Washington Nationals (55-53) in terms of more likely being a seller than a buyer at the trade deadline, but they have split the first two games of this inter-League series and they remain a single game out of the Wild Card race in the National League.
Despite that, the Nationals are still thinking of the future and so will be looking to 'sell high' where they can, but without losing the momentum in the bid to return to the post-season.
Washington will give the ball to Zack Littell on Wednesday and the veteran has a 7-8 record and 5.17 ERA in twenty-one appearances in 2026, although eight of those have been out of the bullpen. The first season in a Nationals uniform has been a mixed bag, but Littell is still trying to prove he can be a starter for the team, even if July has largely been about coming out of the bullpen.
Three of the four appearances this month has been as a long reliever with all of those lasting at least 4 Innings, but Zack Littell was roughed up for eight runs by the Athletics in the sole start made. In the three relief outings, Zack Littell has covered 15 Innings and allowed three runs, but he has picked up consecutive decision losses.
Zack Littell pitched against Toronto twice last season and finished with a 1-0 record after giving up eight runs in just under 12 Innings thrown.
The Blue Jays will counter by handing the ball to Trey Yesavage who has been struggling to build on what was a very strong Playoff run in 2025. The second year pitcher has a 4-5 record and 3.92 ERA in sixteen starts this season having made just three regular season starts in his rookie season in the Major League.
He earned the decision win in his last start in June, but Trey Yesavage has a 0-2 record and 6.11 ERA in four July starts and he has failed to pitch into the 5th Inning on two occasions.
Trey Yesavage has struggled in recent road starts and will need some support from the Blue Jays batting lineup as he prepares to face the Washington Nationals for the first time.
Prediction
The two starting pitchers have something to prove and the two teams are trying to remain focused as trade rumours build up.
It is almost certain that Toronto will be moving some important names as they begin to think ahead to 2027, but they may still have enough to edge this game on Wednesday if Zack Littell continues to struggle for consistency on the mound.
Trey Yesavage has had his own issues of late, but the Blue Jays may be able to back him up with greater success than the Nationals can do for Zack Littell and that may show up on the final scoreboard.
The Pick :
Washington Nationals 4-5 Toronto Blue Jays
