Braves vs Blue Jays Pick: Jays’ Easton Lucas Hopes To Continue Atlanta’s Skid (Apr 14)

• Our Braves vs Blue Jays pick analyzes Atlanta visiting Toronto, trying to crawl out of the National League East cellar
• Toronto is in 1st place in the American League East
• The Jays send early 2025 surprise Easton Lucas to the mound
• The Braves counter with swingman Grant Holmes

Toronto’s Lucas Is One of MLB’s Biggest Surprises

The Marlins used a 14th-round pick on Easton Lucas in the 2019 MLB Draft. Later that year, they traded him to the Orioles. Three-and-a-half years later, the Orioles traded him to the Athletics. The Tigers selected him off waivers from the A’s. The Blue Jays selected him off waivers from the Tigers. He’s 28 and got pummelled everywhere he went before this season.

He has made two starts for the 2025 Blue Jays, pitched 10.1 innings, and given up four hits and no runs. Of course, it’s too early to determine if this is legitimate, but it’s certainly a positive trend with a pitcher they got for nothing.

Lucas has never faced the Braves.

Toronto broke a 2-game losing streak with its 7-6 win over the Orioles on Sunday. Ernie Clement went 4 for 5. Alejandro Kirk homered. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was 2 for 5.

Reeling Atlanta Staggers Into Toronto

The early season has not been kind to the Braves. They’re 4-11 and are buried in last place in the NL East. They are not hitting with their customary power and desperately miss injured star Ronald Acuña Jr. The former NL MVP is expected back sometime in May.

Atlanta sends Grant Holmes to the mound.

Holmes has made three appearances in 2025, two starts, and one relief appearance. In his first start, he gave up 4 runs on 4 hits in 4 innings in a loss to the Dodgers. In his last start against the Phillies, he pitched 4 scoreless innings.

He has faced 4 Blue Jays batters — Clement, Guerrero, Nathan Lukes, and Will Wagner — and three have gotten hits. Ironically, the one he managed to retire was Guerrero.

The Braves lost 2 of 3 over the weekend to the Rays. On Sunday, Tampa knocked around reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale.

Braves vs Blue Jays Pick: Toronto Will Continue Atlanta’s Skid

The Braves are plainly and simply not playing well. Apart from Spencer Schwellenbch, their starting pitching has been terrible. The Blue Jays are starting to hit, and Guerrero, with his new contract in hand, has a hot streak coming.

Toronto will win this game outright.