The Cleveland Guardians and the Toronto Blue Jays meet in the rubber match of their three-game MLB series from Rogers Centre on Sunday. Who picks up a W in this must-win game on Sunday? Let’s dive in and find out.

Guardians Stumble On Saturday

The Cleveland Guardians had a great shot to push for a sweep here, but instead are trying to just nab the series win after an 8-3 loss to Toronto on Saturday. The loss dropped the Guardians to 61-69 on the year, sitting 12.5 games back in the AL Wild Card race and 6 games back in the AL Central race. Jose Ramirez leads the Guardians with 20 home runs along with 69 RBIs while Josh Naylor has a team-high .306 batting average and 79 RBIs. Ramirez also has a .352 OBP and a team-high 31 doubles while Steven Kwan has a team-high 138 hits and 6 triples with 28 doubles as well. Noah Syndergaard will start here for Cleveland and is 2-6 with a 6.42 ERA and 53 strikeouts this season.

Cleveland Guardians Team Facts

– The Guardians have won five of their last six games as underdogs against the Blue Jays following a loss.

– The Guardians have covered the run line in each of their last eight Sunday road games.

– The Guardians have lost the first inning in each of their last three day games against American League opponents.

– The Guardians have led after 3 innings in each of their last four Sunday games as road underdogs.

– The Guardians have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last five day games.

Cleveland Guardians Player Prop Facts

– Andres Gimenez has hit a home run in two of the Guardians’ last three games against AL East opponents.

– Ramon Laureano has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last three road appearances against the Blue Jays.

– Andres Gimenez has scored at least one run in four of his last five road appearances after playing the previous day.

– Jose Ramirez has recorded two or more total bases in four of his last five appearances in day games against AL East teams that held a winning record.

– Noah Syndergaard has recorded five or more strikeouts in three of his four previous appearances against the Blue Jays.

– Jose Ramirez has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 12 road appearances against AL East opponents that held a winning record.

Blue Jays Even Up Series On Saturday

The Toronto Blue Jays managed to get a much-needed W over the Guardians on Saturday thanks to their win. The win pushed the Jays up to 71-59 on the year, 10.5 games back in the AL East and 2.5 games back of the final wild card spot in the American League. Bo Bichette leads the Jays with 152 hits and a .316 batting average along with 18 home runs, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has a team-high 19 home runs and 74 RBIs this season. Matt Chapman’s also contributed a team-best 36 doubles for Toronto as well as having the unfortunate distinction of leading the Jays with 148 strikeouts on the year. Yusei Kikuchi will start for Toronto here and is 9-4 with a 3.52 ERA and 138 strikeouts this season.

Toronto Blue Jays Team Facts

– The Blue Jays have lost five of their last six games as favorites against the Guardians following a win.

– The Blue Jays have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four day games against the Guardians following a win.

– The Blue Jays have trailed after 7 innings in four of their last five games as favorites against American League opponents.

– The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Blue Jays’ last three day games.

– The Blue Jays have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last five games as favorites against American League opponents.

Toronto Blue Jays Player Prop Facts

– George Springer has hit a home run in three of his last five home appearances against the Guardians.

– Kevin Kiermaier has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last three appearances in day games.

– George Springer has recorded two or more total bases in each of his last seven appearances in day games against AL teams that held a losing record.

– Whit Merrifield has scored at least one run in each of the Blue Jays’ last six day games.

– Yusei Kikuchi has recorded seven or more strikeouts in six of his last seven appearances in day games.

– Matt Chapman has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine home appearances against AL Central opponents that held a losing record.

– Bo Bichette ranks 6th amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.316) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

– The Toronto Blue Jays ranks 1st in the league for ERA this season (3.68).

– The Toronto Blue Jays ranks 2nd in the league for strikeouts this season (1221).

– The Cleveland Guardians ranks 30th in the league for home runs this season (98).

– The Cleveland Guardians ranks 1st in the league for strikeouts against this season (916).

Chris’ Pick

I’m looking at the Blue Jays -1.5 here. I think you could make an argument that Yusei Kikuchi is not only the ace of the Jays rotation, but he could be a strong candidate if there was a most improved player award. Kikuchi’s grown leaps and bounds in 2023, and the Jays always have a shot with him on the mound. Noah Syndergaard held Toronto in check when he last faced them, but we know what Syndergaard is, a guy that’s prone to giving up runs in bunches, and I don’t think he’ll be able to match zeroes with Kikuchi here. Give me Toronto -1.5.