Minnesota Twins (64-83) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (82-64)
September 18, 2021 3:07 pm EDT
The Line: Toronto Blue Jays -200 / Minnesota Twins +145; Over/Under: -9.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Minnesota Twins and the Toronto Blue Jays meet Saturday in MLB action from Rogers Centre. This will be the second installment in a three-game series over the weekend. In the Friday game one, the Twins put up a four-run win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Minnesota played the Indians this week, winning Tuesday 6-3 but dropping the other two games. In the Friday opener versus Toronto, the Twins had 10 team hits in a 7-3 victory. Michael Pineda lasted 5.2 innings with one earned on three hits and two walks.
For the starter job in the Saturday game the Twins will send out Bailey Ober. In his 83.0 innings this year Ober has 84 hits, 40 runs (38 earned), 17 homers allowed, 17 walks, 87 Ks and a 4.12 ERA.
Over on the Jays’ side, they played Tampa Bay this week, taking two of three with victories Monday and Wednesday. In the Friday matchup, Toronto had five hits in the defeat. Hyun-jin Ryu put up 2.0 innings with five earned on five hits and a walk.
Starting pitcher for the Jays on Saturday will be Steven Matz. Across 135.0 innings this year Matz has 142 hits, 64 runs (58 earned), 16 homers allowed, 38 walks, 128 Ks and a 3.87 ERA.
The Twins are 5-2 in their last seven in game two of a series and 6-16 in their last 22 versus a lefty starter. Minnesota is 2-7 in their last nine road games versus a lefty starter as well.
Meanwhile, the Jays are 19-7 in their last 26 overall and 22-10 in their last 32 in game two of a series. The under is also 25-11 in the Jays’ last 36 Saturday games.
PICK: I’m going Blue Jays. Matz didn’t do so hot his last time up, posting five arena on six hits, two homers and two walks in 6.0 innings versus the Orioles. Prior to that Matz had a run of two or fewer earned in seven straight outings, however. As for Ober, he’s given up seven earned in 14.1 innings over his last three starts. I like Ober to pitch fairly well here but Toronto should win.
