Oakland Athletics (73-60) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (70-62)
September 3, 2021 7:07 pm EDT
The Line: Toronto Blue Jays -135 / Oakland Athletics +125; Over/Under: +9
(Get latest betting odds)
The Oakland Athletics and the Toronto Blue Jays meet Friday in MLB action from Rogers Centre. The A’s are coming off a series versus the Tigers this week. Oakland split the first two games in that set, then on Thursday the A’s bagged a two-run win. As for the Jays, they played the Orioles in their last series. Toronto lost Tuesday but won the other two games in that set. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Oakland posted a nice 9-3 win over the Tigers on Tuesday, but then fell 8-6 in the Wednesday game two. In the Thursday finale, the A’s posted four runs in the first inning and 12 team hits in an 8-6 win. Oakland gave up five runs to the Tigers in the seventh inning but they were able to hold on.
For the Friday starting pitcher job, the A’s will send out Sean Manaea. Over his 142.2 innings this year Manaea has 142 hits, 64 runs (63 earned), 22 homers allowed, 36 walks, 156 Ks and a 3.97 ERA.
Over on the Toronto side, they fell 4-2 to the Orioles on Tuesday, but won the series with victories 7-3 Monday and 5-4 Wednesday. In the finale, Toronto starter Steven Matz lasted 5.0 innings with five hits, four walks and two earned runs.
The Jays are sending out Alek Manoah for the Friday starter job. In his 14 games this year Manoah has a 5-2 record with a 3.15 ERA and 86 Ks in 74.1 innings of work.
The A’s are 35-16 in their last 51 Friday games and 1-4 in their last five in game one of a series. The under is 40-12-1 in the A’s last 53 Friday games and 5-2 in their last seven in game one of a series.
Meanwhile, the Jays are 5-12 in their last 17 Friday games and 2-5 in their last seven in game one of a series. Toronto is 1-4 in their last five versus a lefty starter and 15-7 in their last 22 on turf.
PICK: I’m going to stick with the Blue Jays in this one. We should have a pretty good weekend series on our hands here, though. Manaea has given up five or more earned runs in three of his last five starts. Over his last three, Manaea has combined for 14 earned, seven homers, four walks and 18 hits in a span of 14.0 innings. If Toronto can get their offense going early they should be in good shape to potentially bag a win Friday.
