How Does the Matt Chapman Trade Help Toronto Blue Jays' World Series Odds?

Toronto Blue Jays fans got a boost Wednesday in a tweet from the team regarding a major acquisition, third baseman Matt Chapman.

The tweet reads, “OFFICIAL: We've acquired 3x Gold Glover, 2x Platinum Glover, and All-Star 3B Matt Chapman from the A's in exchange for 4 players.”

The trade comes at a good time for baseball fans in Toronto and throughout Ontario. On April 4, Ontario sports betting goes live.

On April 8, the Blue Jays open the regular season with a weekend homestand against the Texas Rangers.

Chapman Noted for Defensive Skills

Regarded as one of the American League’s top defensive third basemen, Chapman, who turns 29 in April, also has some pop in his bat. He hit 27 homer runs with the Oakland Athletics last season and recorded 72 runs batted in.

In the trade, Oakland is getting four prospects, including right-handed pitcher Gunnar Hoglund, a first-round draft pick last year. The A’s also are acquiring two left-handed pitchers, Zach Logue and Kirby Snead, and shortstop Kevin Smith.

Third Baseman Looks to Boost Batting Average

Coming off hip surgery in 2020, Chapman hit .210 last season, but in 2018, his batting average reached .278. One year later, he blasted 36 home runs.

With the trade, the Blue Jays’ infield is taking shape, including Chapman at third, Bo Bichette at shortstop and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first. Left-handed batter Cavan Biggio and Santiago Espinal, a right-handed hitter, could platoon at second base.

Baseball Season Starts At Good Time for Sports Wagering

The Major League Baseball regular season opens the same week that single-game sports wagering begins in Ontario, the nation’s most-populous province.

Last year, Canadian provinces were authorized to offer commercial sports betting. In Ontario, April 4 was set as the launch date. On that day, Ontario will become North America’s second-largest commercial sports-betting market, only behind New York.

The April 4 launch date comes on the same day as March Madness title game in New Orleans. Soon afterward, the NHL and NBA playoffs get underway.

Oddsmakers Give Blue Jays Shot at World Series Title

Even before the Chapman trade, the Blue Jays were expected to contend for this year’s World Series crown. The team won 91 games last season.

These MLB betting odds from DraftKings Sportsbook reflect the Blue Jays’ standing as an elite team to win the title and their division.

World Series

• Los Angeles Dodgers: +550
• New York Yankees: +900
• Houston Astros: +950
• New York Mets: +1000
• Toronto Blue Jays: +1000
• Chicago White Sox: +1100
• Atlanta Braves: +1200

American League East

• New York Yankees: +185
• Toronto Blue Jays: +190
• Tampa Bay Rays: +300
• Boston Red Sox: +550
• Baltimore Orioles: +15000

Unvaccinated Players Banned From Canada

This season, bettors will have to keep an eye on COVID-19 rules barring unvaccinated foreign visitors from entering Canada. This means unvaccinated Major League Baseball players won’t be allowed to cross the border to play in Toronto.

The Canadian government’s special status for unvaccinated athletes ended in January.

Unvaccinated MLB players will not be paid while their teams are in Canada, the New York Times reported.

Coronavirus restrictions are not limited to Canada. In New York, unvaccinated Yankees and Mets players will not be allowed to participate in home games, according to CBS Sports. This rule is in keeping with the city’s private-sector employee mandate.