In this article we will formulate a Blue Jays vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Saturday, May 23rd at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Toronto Blue Jays Betting Preview
The Toronto Blue Jays are 24-27 this year after they won game one by a score of 6-2 on Friday night. Toronto led 3-1 in the third inning and they added three more in the eighth to seal the win. The Blue Jays recorded five hits in the game and they were led by Springer, who went 1-3 with two RBIs. Gausman allowed six hits and one earned run over 6.2 innings for the win, while Varland got the save. Prior to this series, Toronto split four games with the Yankees and won two out of three against the Tigers.
This season, Toronto has a 3.88 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP and a .244 opponent batting average, while they have scored 208 runs with a .241 batting average and a .306 on base percentage. Kazuma Okamoto has led the Blue Jays with 10 home runs and 27 RBIs, while Andres Gimenez has added five home runs and 27 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Toronto is Patrick Corbin, who is 1-1 with a 4.23 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP over 38.1 innings pitched this year.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 26-25 this season after they lost game one by a score of 6-2 last night. Pittsburgh led 1-0 in the first inning, but only scored one run in the final eight innings in the loss. The Pirates recorded seven hits and they committed three errors in the game, while they were led by Reynolds, who went 0-1 with one RBI. Chandler allowed two hits and one earned run over 5.0 innings for the loss, while Santana allowed three earned runs in relief. Prior to this series, Pittsburgh won two out of three against the Cardinals, but lost all three against the Phillies before that.
This season, Pittsburgh has a 3.86 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP and a .224 opponent batting average, while they have scored 250 runs with a .252 batting average and a .334 on base percentage. Oneil Cruz has led the Pirates with 10 home runs and 33 RBIs, while Brandon Lowe has added 13 home runs and 32 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Paul Skenes, who is 6-3 with a 2.62 ERA and a 0.71 WHIP over 55.0 innings pitched this season.
Why the Toronto Blue Jays will win
- The Blue Jays have won nine of their last 10 games as home underdogs following a home win.
- The Pirates have lost seven of their last eight road games against American League opponents.
- The Blue Jays have covered the run line in each of their last nine games after playing the previous day.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Blue Jays have won the first inning in four of their last five games as home underdogs against NL Central opponents.
- The Pirates have trailed after 5 innings in three of their last four games against American League opponents.
- The Blue Jays have led after 3 innings in each of their last six day games against National League opponents.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Pirates have won each of their last seven road games following a road loss.
- The Blue Jays have lost six of their last seven games against National League opponents following a home win.
- The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last six games against American League opponents following a loss.
- The Blue Jays have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight home games against NL Central opponents following a home win.
- The Pirates have led after 5 innings in each of their last seven games as road favorites.
- The Pirates have led after 3 innings in five of their last six day games against American League opponents.
- The Pirates have won the first inning in five of their last six games against American League opponents.
Total Runs Facts
- Fifteen of the Pirates’ last 18 games as favorites against AL East opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Five of the Blue Jays’ last six day games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of Patrick Corbin’s last eight home appearances as a starter.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in five of the Pirates’ last six games against American League opponents.
Toronto Blue Jays Player Prop Facts
- Daulton Varsho has hit a home run in four of the Blue Jays’ last six games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
- Patrick Corbin has recorded five or more strikeouts in four of his last five home appearances against the Pirates.
- George Springer has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 appearances with the Blue Jays as underdogs against NL Central opponents.
- Ernie Clement ranks T8th in the league in Hits (57) this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Brandon Lowe has hit a home run in four of his last five appearances with his team as a favorite against the Blue Jays.
- Marcell Ozuna has recorded at least one hit in each of his eight previous road appearances against the Blue Jays.
- Oneil Cruz is one of only two players to record 10+ Home Runs and 10+ Stolen Bases this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Blue Jays rank T29th in the league for triples this season (2).
- The Blue Jays rank 2nd in the league for strikeouts against this season (367).
- The Pirates rank 2nd in the league for hits this season (448).
- The Pirates rank T4th in the league for RBIs this season (239).
Blue Jays vs Pirates Prediction
Toronto comes into this matchup on a three game winning streak and they have allowed just three runs during that span. The Blue Jays are 14-11 at home this year, while the Pirates are 13-12 on the road. Pittsburgh has won two of their last three and they have scored at least six runs in three of their last four. The Pirates are starting Skenes, who has allowed zero earned runs in three of his last five starts, while Corbin has allowed two earned runs in three of his last five. I know Skenes struggled last time out, but this is still a decent price to get him at. Take the Pirates here.