Published on: October 4, 2025, 07:45h.
Updated on: October 4, 2025, 07:45h.
- Canadians are known to heavily support local teams
- Projected mid 7-figure losses for Canadian sportsbooks
- The MLB Division Series begins today on multiple fronts
From his experience as the former Head of Trading Operations at Sports Interaction, Phill Gray understands well that Canadian gamblers show remarkable loyalty to their teams. With the Blue Jays set to commence the American League Division Series against the Yankees today, this sentiment will be evident.
Significant Liability on the Jays
“A lot of Ontario sportsbooks are likely distressed about their substantial liability regarding the Jays right now,” Gray shared with Casino.org. He recalled how the Raptors’ journey to an NBA title in 2019 had severely impacted their basketball profits for the entire season.
Gray estimates that MLB losses could reach a “mid 7-figure” amount for sportsbooks.
Kevin Gausman is set to pitch for the Blue Jays in Game 1 today (4:08 p.m. EST), facing off against Luis Gill from the Yankees.
Jays Initially at +2000
“Books in Canada are challenged throughout the NHL/NBA/MLB seasons,” Gray mentioned. “Teams like the Leafs, Oilers, Raptors, and Jays garner overwhelming support from local bettors, making profitability a rollercoaster ride.”
“The Blue Jays’ success during the regular season has significant implications on a day-to-day basis. Futures markets are now in play. With 94 wins, the Jays surpassed their original total projection of 79.5, creating a hefty loss as the over was widely favored. Their initial odds for winning the AL East were around +900, which translates to considerable liability from the outset.”
Ohtani on the Mound Against the Phillies
Toronto opened at approximately +2000 for the pennant, with double that for the World Series. Gray pointed out that roughly 75% of the bets in these categories will likely go towards them. A favorable outcome for the Jays would be catastrophic for sportsbooks in Ontario, compounding the game liabilities accumulated throughout the season.
“I experienced a similar situation during the Raptors’ run in 2019. This October could very well lead to a potential mid 7-figure loss for sportsbooks, just as we faced that spring with the Raptors,” he noted.
Potential for a 7-Figure Deficit
Today features a packed schedule for divisional series games. The Cubs, led by Matthew Boyd, face the Brewers with Freddy Peralta at 2:08 p.m. EST, the Dodgers featuring Shohei Ohtani take on the Phillies at 6:38 p.m. EST, and the Tigers, led by Troy Melton, square off against the Mariners and George Kirby at 8:38 p.m. EST.
“There seems to be a balanced amount of money flowing on the series,” shared Eric Biggio, Lead Baseball Trader at Caesars Sportsbook. “We opened the series price a bit higher than anticipated, with the Yankees at -150. Bo Bichette’s day-to-day condition, along with the Yankees’ victories in their previous two elimination contests against the Red Sox, influenced this shift in odds.”
“I personally believe the Jays have a chance in this series, especially with home advantage featuring Kevin Gausman for Game 1 and Shane Bieber for Game 2.”
Strong Support for Dodgers in World Series Bets
It’s no surprise that there’s substantial betting activity on the Dodgers to not only clinch the series but also the World Series title.
“We might need the Phillies in most matchups, as the Dodgers have been favored by the public for much of the season,” Biggio noted. “Christopher Sanchez has been underrated all season for the Phillies. If they can secure a victory with him in Game 1, they may just pull off an upset in the series.”
The Mariners are currently the heaviest favorites among the four Division Series matchups, sitting at -180.
Recency Influence on Cubs Betting
“On paper, they boast a superior lineup and better pitching depth. Hence, they rightfully hold the favor in this contest,” remarked Biggio. “We’re likely to need the Tigers in any game not led by Tarik Skubal during this series.
“Could there be a lack of respect for the Brewers? The overall top seed simply being a -125 series favorite raises questions. There may be recent biases favoring the Cubs, and I’ll be keen to monitor the betting patterns on this matchup.”
In Canada, betting sites like NorthStar have the Jays slightly underdog at -129, the Yankees at +110, and the Brewers as underdogs at -165 with the Cubs at +140; the Phillies sit at -122, while the Dodgers are at +105; and the Mariners at -225 against the Tigers at +185.
At BetMGM this morning, the Yankees are +105, the Jays at -125; the Cubs at +135, Brewers at -161; the Dodgers at +105, Phillies at -125; and the Tigers at +180, Mariners at -222.