Toronto Blue Jays (59-48) vs Baltimore Orioles (65-41)
Game Info: Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 7:07 pm (Rogers Centre)
Yusei Kikuchi (8-3) (3.79) vs Grayson Rodriguez (2-2) (6.21)
Betting Odds: Toronto Blue Jays -152 / Baltimore Orioles +120 --- Over/Under: 9 Click Here for the Latest Odds
The Toronto Blue Jays will host the Baltimore Orioles for game three of their divisional series this Wednesday from the Rogers Centre on the MLB Network.
Orioles Preview & Projected Starter
Baltimore comes in at 66-41 after defeating Toronto. The Orioles poured it on the Blue Jays down the stretch in game two, and they’ll look to win a fourth straight game here. The Baltimore offense is scoring 4.95 runs per game, while batting .252, with a .329 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 4.09 ERA, with a 1.29 WHIP.
Grayson Rodriguez (2-2, 6.21 ERA, 70 Ks) will get the ball for Baltimore. The rookie pitcher came through with his best outing yet against New York last week, tossing 6.1 scoreless frames en route to an O’s victory. Rodriguez returned to the rotation after the break, and after facing the Dodgers, Rays, and Yanks (w/ Judge), things will not slow down for him here with the Blue Jays talented lineup. Prior to his absence, Rodriguez did pitch well in a May matchup in Toronto, striking out six over five innings, while holding the Jays to two runs, and he’ll look for similar success Wednesday.
Orioles Player Trends & Props
• Adley Rutschmann doubled in a run during last night’s win, has recorded a hit in seven of his last ten games, and he leads Baltimore in hits (105), with splits of .271/14/47.
• Anthony Santander homered and plated four runs in the game two victory, and he leads Baltimore in HR (19) and RBI (68).
• Ryan Mountcastle has produced multiple runs in both matchups with Toronto.
• Adam Frazier has recorded a hit in six of the previous eight games, and he’s posting identical stats of thirteen homers and 49 RBI.
Blue Jays Preview & Projected Starter
Toronto enters at 59-49 after falling to Baltimore. The Blue Jays couldn’t contain the Orioles after the fifth inning, and they’ll look to avoid a fourth straight loss here. The Toronto offense is scoring 4.85 runs per game, while batting .262, with a .331 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 3.80 ERA, with a 1.26 WHIP.
Yusei Kikuchi (8-3, 3.79 ERA, 116 Ks) will get the call for Toronto. The fifth-year pitcher put together his best outing of the season in Los Angeles last week, striking out eight thru six innings, while holding the Dodgers to one run to earn his eighth win of the season. Kikuchi has returned from the break in nice form, as he preceded the effort in LA with a strong revenge spot in Seattle. Kikuchi did suffer his first loss of the season to the O’s at home back in May, and he only lasted 4.2 innings in a rematch in Baltimore, so it will be interesting to see if he can fox those fortunes here.
Blue Jays Player Trends & Props
• Bo Bichette has multiple hits in four of the last five games, and he leads the Jays in hits (144), with splits of .321/17/59.
• Vlad Guerrero Jr. has taken a walk in five straight games, and he leads Toronto in RBI (66), with seventeen homers.
• Matt Chapman has recorded a hit in eight of the last ten games, and he’s posting a line of .258/14/44.
• Whit Merrifield has produced a run in five of the last six games and he’s batting .300, with 50 RBI.
Corey’s Free Pick
Toronto was pushed around by Baltimore last night, and I believe this lineup asserts themselves here in game two. The pitching matchup quietly sways in the hosts favor, with Yusei Kikuchi pitching well and posting a career season. The Over will be in play, but let’s back Toronto to avoid a fourth straight loss and get back into the win column Wednesday.
Corey’s Pick Blue Jays ML
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
Mitch's Take...
