The Toronto Blue Jays and Cincinnati Reds clash Saturday in game 2 of an MLB series at Great American Ball Park. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Toronto Blue Jays Betting Preview

The Blue Jays need a win after losing 5 of their last 7 games. The Blue Jays are now 8.5 games out of the AL East. The Blue Jays pitching staff is 1st in ERA (3.68), 7th in WHIP (1.24) and 4th in quality starts (56). The Blue Jays offense is 16th in runs per game (4.44), 6th in batting average (.258) and 16th in homers (139). Bo Bichette leads the Blue Jays with 144 hits and 59 RBI, while Whit Merrifield and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. have combined for 250 hits and 128 RBI. Chris Bassitt gets the ball, and he is 11-6 with a 3.95 ERA and 137 strikeouts this season. Bassitt is 1-1 with a 1.72 ERA and 17 strikeouts in his career against the Reds.

Toronto Blue Jays Team Facts

The underdogs have won six of the Blue Jays’ last seven games.
The Blue Jays have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven games as road favorites following a loss.
The Blue Jays have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last three Saturday games as road favorites.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Blue Jays’ last four games as road favorites against National League opponents.
The Blue Jays have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last six games as favorites against National League opponents.

Toronto Blue Jays Player Prop Facts

Daulton Varsho has hit a home run in two of the Blue Jays’ last three games as favorites.
Daulton Varsho has recorded at least one RBI in three of the Blue Jays’ last four road games against NL Central opponents.
George Springer has scored at least one run in five of his six previous road appearances against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
Daulton Varsho has recorded two or more total bases in each of the Blue Jays’ last five road games against NL Central opponents.
Daulton Varsho has recorded a hit in each of his five previous appearances against the Reds after playing the previous day.
Chris Bassitt has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last nine Saturday appearances in night games.
Chris Bassitt ranks T9th in the league for Wins (11) this season.

Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview

The Reds look for a win after splitting their last 10 games. The Reds are 2 games back in the NL Central. The Reds pitching staff is 26th in ERA (4.72), 24th in WHIP (1.40) and 24th in quality starts (35). The Reds’ offense is 9th in runs per game (4.79), 16th in batting average (.252) and 14th in homers (142). Spencer Steer leads the Reds with 117 hits and 66 RBI, while Matt McLain and Jonathan India have combined for 198 hits and 96 RBI. Brandon Williamson gets the ball, and he is 4-2 with a 4.33 ERA and 70 strikeouts this season. This will be Williamson’s first career game against the Blue Jays.

Cincinnati Reds Team Facts

The Reds have won seven of their last eight games as underdogs against American League opponents.
The Reds have covered the run line in each of their last seven games following a home win.
The Reds have led after 5 innings in four of their last six games as underdogs.
The Reds have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last five Saturday night games.
The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Reds’ last six Saturday night games.

Cincinnati Reds Player Prop Facts

Joey Votto has hit a home run in three of his last four appearances against the Blue Jays after playing the previous day.
Joey Votto has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last four appearances against the Blue Jays after playing the previous day.
Joey Votto has scored a run in three of his last four appearances against the Blue Jays after playing the previous day.
Joey Votto has recorded at least one hit in nine of his last 10 home appearances against AL East opponents that held a winning record.
Joey Votto has recorded two or more total bases in each of his last four appearances against the Blue Jays after playing the previous day.

Matchup/League Facts

The Cincinnati Reds ranks 1st in the league for steals this season (139).
The Cincinnati Reds ranks T3rd in the league for triples this season (25).
The Toronto Blue Jays ranks 1st in the league for ERA this season (3.68).
The Toronto Blue Jays ranks 1st in the league for runs allowed this season (492).

Randy’s Pick

The Blue Jays are in a slump again, so it can be tough to get behind them on the road and in the favorite role. However, Chris Bassitt has been great for the Blue Jays this season with his 3.95 ERA ad 1.24 WHIP. Brandon Williamson has been far more up and down with his 4.33 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. I also refuse to believe this Blue Jays offense is going to continue to have issues stringing together offense. There’s too much talent in the lineup. I’ll lay the cheap price with the road team in game 2.