Baltimore Orioles (51-107) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (88-70)
October 1, 2021 7:07 pm EDT
The Line: Toronto Blue Jays -455 / Baltimore Orioles +290; Over/Under: +10
(Get latest betting odds)
The Baltimore Orioles and the Toronto Blue Jays meet Friday in MLB action from Rogers Centre. The Orioles are coming off a series versus the Red Sox. Baltimore split the first pair in that set, then on Thursday the O’s put put up a nice four-run win. As for the Jays, they’re coming off a series versus the Yankees. Toronto similarly split their first pair, and on Thursday the Blue Jays lost by four themselves. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Baltimore managed a nice 4-2 win over the Red Sox on Tuesday, but then fell 6-0 in the Wednesday game two. In the rubber match Thursday, the O’s scored three in both the third and sixth innings during a 6-2 win. Alexander Wells put up 6.0 frames with three hits and one earned.
For the starter gig in the Friday opener, the Orioles didn’t initially announce a name.
Over on the Blue Jays’ side, they fell 7-2 to the Yankees in the series opener but then took a dramatic 6-5 win on Wednesday. In the Thursday game Toronto gave up a handful of homers in a 6-2 loss. Robbie Ray put up 5.1 innings with five earned, six hits and three walks.
Starting pitcher for the Jays on Friday will be Steven Matz. This season over 143.2 innings Matz has 152 hits, 68 runs (62 earned), 17 homers allowed, 42 walks, 139 Ks and a 3.88 ERA.
The O’s are 24-54 in their last 78 Friday games and 7-17 in their last 24 versus a lefty starter. Baltimore is also 44-111 in their last 155 in game one of a series.
Meanwhile, the Jays are 17-7 in their last 24 versus the AL East and 1-6 in their last seven Friday games. Toronto is 0-4 in their last four in game four of a series as well.
PICK: I’m going to stick with the Blue Jays, but it’s a really thick line so I’m not going near it. Matz had a rough outing versus the Orioles in the middle of September with five earned on six hits, two homers and two walks in 6.0 innings. Since then however, Matz has been better with four earned on 10 hits and four walks in 8.2 innings. He’s going to need to sharpen up further here, but if Matz can put together a decent start Toronto should be just fine. All of that said, you wouldn’t be crazy for taking Baltimore on a value play of course.
