Baltimore Orioles (40-88) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (67-61)
August 30, 2021 7:07 pm EDT
The Line: Toronto Blue Jays -312 / Baltimore Orioles +215; Over/Under: +9
(Get latest betting odds)
The Baltimore Orioles and the Toronto Blue Jays meet Monday in MLB action from Rogers Centre. Baltimore is coming off a weekend series against the Rays. Baltimore lost the first two games in that set, then in the Sunday finale the Orioles fell again by four runs. As for the Jays, they played the Tigers over the weekend. Toronto split the first two games in that series, then in the Sunday rubber match the Jays eked out a victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Baltimore fell to the Rays 6-3 in the Friday game, then dropped a tough one Saturday 4-3. In the Sunday finale, the Orioles had 13 hits but gave up a ton of offense in a 12-8 defeat. Starter Spenser Watkins put up 5.0 frames with six earned on seven hits and one walk.
For the starter job in the Monday opener, Baltimore will go with Chris Ellis. In his two games (one start) this year, Ellis is 1-0 with 7.0 innings, 10 Ks and a 3.86 ERA.
Over on the Jays’ side, they fell to the Tigers 2-1 on Friday but evened up the series in the Saturday game with a 3-2 win. On Sunday, Toronto had 10 hits in a tense 2-1 victory. Jose Berrios lasted 7.0 innings with six hits, 11 Ks, no walks and no earned.
For the starting pitcher gig in the Monday game, the Blue Jays are going with Robbie Ray. This year in 152.1 innings Ray has 119 hits, 47 runs (46 earned), 24 homers allowed, 37 walks, 192 Ks and a 2.72 ERA.
The Orioles are 16-36 in their last 52 Monday games and 40-106 in their last 146 in game one of a series. Baltimore is 25-72 in their last 97 overall and 11-40 in their last 51 road games.
Meanwhile, the Jays are 1-7 in their last eight Monday games and 1-5 in their last six in game one of a series. Toronto is 4-1 in their last five versus the AL East and 13-6 in their last 19 on turf.
PICK: I’m going to go with the Jays. It’ll be interesting to see how Ellis does here; the Orioles can certainly use some good innings from him. As for Ray, he’s given up just four earned over his last four starts, with 17 hits in a span of 28.0 innings. Ray is coming off 7.0 innings with one earned on five hits and a walk versus the White Sox, and I like him to post another strong outing here in a Toronto victory. Considering the thick line though, you wouldn’t be crazy for taking the O’s on a value pick.
