Baltimore Orioles at Toronto Blue Jays: MLB Picks and Prediction 9/27/20

The Orioles out-hit Toronto 9-5 in the loss Saturday, but could only come up with two runs (and two errors). Austin Hays led the offense on three hits and a run, while starting pitcher John Means posted 6.0 innings with one earned in a tough-luck defeat. 

In the starting role on Sunday, the Orioles are sending out Keegan Akin. In his seven games (five starts) this year, Akin is 1-2 with a 3.57 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 22.2 innings. 

Over on the Blue Jays’ side, starting pitcher TJ Zeuch put up 5.0 innings with no earned and no strikeouts in the Saturday game. Randal Grichuk had one big swing with a three-run homer in the seventh inning. That long ball ultimately would prove to be the difference in the game. 

In Sunday’s starting pitcher role, the Blue Jays are sending out Tanner Roark. Over his 10 starts this year, Roark is 2-3 with a 7.01 ERA and 39 Ks in 43.2 innings. Over his MLB career, Roark is 76-67 with a 3.83 ERA and 929 Ks in 1144.0 innings. 

The Orioles are 129-276 in their last 405 overall and 110-239 in their last 349 games as an underdog. Baltimore is 28-67 in their last 95 versus the American League East and 61-144 in their last 205 road games. 

Meanwhile, the Blue Jays are 4-0 in their last four Sunday games and 7-2 in their last nine games as a home favorite. The over is 8-2-2 in the Blue Jays’ last 12 Sunday games and 6-2 in their last eight games as a favorite. 

Pick: I’m going Blue Jays here. I’d like to side with the Orioles, as Akin has posted some nice strikeout numbers and a pretty solid ERA in his rookie season. Roark on the other hand has just been bad. Still, with Toronto rolling along nicely into the playoffs, Roark should have plenty of offense behind him. The Jays should have plenty of chances to score here.