The Toronto Blue Jays and the Pittsburgh Pirates meet Monday in MLB action from Rogers Centre. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Pirates vs Blue Jays Prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Toronto Blue Jays will trot out Kevin Gausman here and Gausman is 8-9 with a 3.79 ERA and 138 strikeouts this season. In his last five starts against the Pirates, Gausman is 0-2 with a 5.96 ERA and 25 strikeouts. Paul Skenes will get the nod for Pittsburgh here and is 7-9 with a 2.13 ERA and 166 strikeouts this season. This will be Skenes’ first career start against the Blue Jays.
Toronto Blue Jays Recap
The Toronto Blue Jays come into this game looking to rebound from a 10-4 loss at the hands of the Texas Rangers last time out to sit at 73-52 this season. After this series, the Blue Jays will head on the road again for another interleague series, taking on the Miami Marlins.
Blue Jays Have Three-Game Win Streak Snapped
George Springer has 102 hits and Bo Bichette has 153 hits with Springer adding 19 home runs, a triple, 18 doubles and 59 RBIs while Bichette has 37 doubles, 16 home runs and 81 RBIs. Andres Gimenez has added 50 hits with 7 doubles and 5 home runs and 23 RBIs this season along with 10 stolen bases. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also has 21 homers, 30 doubles and 68 RBIs while Springer also has a .290 batting average and 78 strikeouts up to this point in the year. Addison Barger’s chipped in 25 doubles with 18 home runs and 59 RBIs and Ernie Clement’s added 24 doubles as part of his 122 hits this season.
Why the Toronto Blue Jays will win
- The Pirates have lost seven of their last eight games as home favorites against American League opponents following a road loss.
- The Blue Jays have won each of their last seven games at PNC Park.
- The Blue Jays have covered the run line each of their last nine road games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in 13 of their last 14 night games against AL East opponents.
Toronto Blue Jays Player Prop Facts
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has hit a home run in three of the Blue Jays’ last four games against opponents that held a losing record.
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has recorded a Double in four of the Blue Jays’ last five road games against NL opponents.
- Kevin Gausman has recorded seven or more strikeouts in each of his last five road appearances against NL Central opponents.
- Andres Gimenez has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances in night games.
- Kevin Gausman has recorded a win in eight of his last 10 road appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
- Bo Bichette ranks 1st in the league in Hits (153) this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates Recap
The Pittsburgh Pirates come into this game looking to rebound from a 4-3 loss at the hands of the Chicago Cubs last time out to sit at 52-73 this season. After this series, the Pirates will square off against the Colorado Rockies at home.
Pirates Lose 7 Of Their Last 8
Bryan Reynolds has 13 hits with 27 doubles, 13 home runs and 61 RBIs while also posting 136 strikeouts so far this season. Oneil Cruz has posted a team-high 18 home runs and 51 RBIs with 34 stolen bases while Isiah Kiner-Falefa has 97 hits with 17 doubles and 15 stolen bases. Cruz also has a team-high 145 strikeouts as well this season. Tommy Pham has 12 doubles and Andrew McCutchen has 91 hits with 17 doubles as well this season.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Pirates have won 14 of their last 16 home games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Blue Jays have lost three of their last four night games against National League opponents.
- The Pirates have covered the run line in seven of their last eight home games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Blue Jays have failed to cover the run line in three of their last four night games against National League opponents.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Andrew McCutchen has hit a home run in three of his last four appearances with his team as a home favorite against the Blue Jays.
- Jared Triolo has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 11 appearances in night games against AL teams that held a winning record.
- Paul Skenes ranks 1st amongst qualified players for Earned Run Average (2.13) this season.
Total Runs Facts
- Twelve of the Pirates’ last 13 games as favorites against AL East opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Each of the Blue Jays’ last four games against NL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
Pirates vs Blue Jays Prediction
I’m leaning towards the under in this one. Paul Skenes has been lights out at home this season with a sub-2.00 ERA and I think he could have a good game against a Blue Jays team that’s been less effective on the road this season. On the other side, Gausman’s been solid in his own right and the main reason Skenes doesn’t have a better win-loss record this season is because of a lack of run support in the majority of his starts. I’ll back the under in a bit of a pitcher’s duel here. Give me the under.