Oakland Athletics (74-61) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (71-62)
September 5, 2021 1:07 pm EDT
The Line: Toronto Blue Jays -233 / Oakland Athletics +165; Over/Under: -9.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Oakland Athletics and the Toronto Blue Jays meet Sunday in MLB action from Rogers Centre. This will be the final installment in a three-game weekend series. The Blue Jays eked out a win Friday, then in the Saturday game two, Toronto kept it going with a two-run win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Oakland had an 8-2 lead at one point in the Friday game, but coughed it up in an eventual 11-10 loss. In the Saturday matchup, the A’s fell behind 4-0 early in what was ultimately a 10-8 defeat. Starter Paul Blackburn had 3.2 innings with four earned on nine hits.
For the starter job in the Sunday game, the A’s will send out Cole Irvin. In his 149.0 innings this year Irvin has 156 hits, 69 runs (62 earned), 15 homers allowed, 33 walks, 99 Ks and a 3.74 ERA.
Over on the Blue Jays’ side, they scored nine runs in the final two innings Friday to seal the big comeback win. In the Saturday game, Toronto gave up five runs in the ninth inning but they were able to hang on for the victory. Jose Berrios put up 6.2 innings with three earned on four hits.
For the starting pitcher gig in the Sunday finale, the Jays will go with Robbie Ray. In 159.1 innings of work so far this year Ray has 123 hits, 49 runs (48 earned), 25 homers allowed, 38 walks, 202 strikeouts and a 2.71 ERA.
The A’s are 39-16 in their last 55 road games versus a lefty starter and 78-35 in their last 113 versus a lefty starter. The over is 7-3 in the A’s last 10 with a total of 7.0-8.5 and the under is 8-3 in their last 11 Sunday games.
Meanwhile, the Jays are 5-1 in their last six in game three of a series and 4-1 in their last five Sunday games. Toronto is 16-7 in their last 23 on turf and the under is 4-0 in their last four in game three of a series.
PICK: I’m going to stick with the Blue Jays. Ray has been on a nice roll over his last seven games, giving up no more than two earned in any of those starts. Over his last three appearances Ray has just four earned on 14 hits in 22.0 innings of work. As for Irvin, he’s given up three earned in four straight outings, resulting in 12 earned over 18.2 frames. I don’t think Irvin will pitch too badly here, but I still like Toronto better on the win.
