Blue Jays vs Pirates Prediction 8/18/2025 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Blue Jays vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Monday, August 18th at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Toronto Blue Jays Betting Preview

The Toronto Blue Jays are 73-52 this year after they won two out of three against Texas by scores of 6-5, 14-2, and 4-10. In their game three loss, Toronto fell behind 8-1 in the sixth inning and never had a chance in the defeat. The Blue Jays recorded seven hits in the game and they were led by Springer, who went 1-4 with one home run and two RBIs in the loss. Toronto started Berrios, who allowed 10 hits and six earned runs over 4.1 innings for the loss, while Fisher and Varland each allowed two earned runs in relief. 

Prior to that series, the Blue Jays won two out of three against the Cubs, but did lose two out of three against the Dodgers before that. Toronto has won five of their last seven games and they are currently first in the AL East standings. The Toronto pitching staff has a 4.25 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP and a .239 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 615 runs with a .269 batting average and a .338 on base percentage this season. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has led Toronto with 21 home runs and 68 RBIs, while Addison Barger has added 18 home runs and 59 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Toronto is Kevin Gausman, who is 8-9 with a 3.79 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP over 142.2 innings pitched this year. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 52-73 this season after they lost two out of three against the Cubs by scores of 3-2, 1-3, and 3-4. In their game three loss, Pittsburgh led 3-2 in the sixth inning, but couldn’t hold the lead for the loss. The Pirates recorded nine hits and they committed two errors in the game, while they were led by Bart, who went 1-4 with two RBIs in the loss. Pittsburgh started Mlodzinski, who allowed one hit and zero earned runs over 4.0 innings, while Mattson picked up the loss. 

Prior to that series, the Pirates lost all three against the Brewers and split four games with the Reds. Pittsburgh has lost seven of their last eight games and they are currently last in the NL Central standings. The Pittsburgh pitching staff has a 4.03 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP and a .240 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 439 runs with a .232 batting average and a .303 on base percentage this season. Oneil Cruz (IL) has led Pittsburgh with 18 home runs and 51 RBIs, while Bryan Reynolds has added 13 home runs and 61 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Paul Skenes, who is 7-9 with a 2.13 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP over 148.0 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Blue Jays will beat the Pirates

• The Pirates have lost each of their last seven games after playing the previous day.
• The Blue Jays have won each of their last seven road games against the Pirates.
• The Blue Jays have covered the run line in each of their last eight road games against NL Central opponents.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven night games against AL East opponents following a road loss.
• The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in four of their last five games at PNC Park against AL East opponents that held a winning record.
• The Pirates have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four night games against AL East opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Pirates’ last five games as favorites against AL East opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Five of the Blue Jays’ last six road games after playing the previous day have gone OVER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 10 of the Pirates’ last 11 games as home favorites against AL East opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Blue Jays’ last five games.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Tommy Pham has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven appearances with his team as a favorite against the Blue Jays.
• Andrew McCutchen has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances with his team as a home favorite against the Blue Jays.

Toronto Blue Jays Player Prop Facts

• Ernie Clement has hit a home run in three of the Blue Jays’ last four road games against NL opponents.
• Kevin Gausman has recorded seven or more strikeouts in each of his last four road appearances against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
• Bo Bichette has recorded at least one hit in each of the Blue Jays’ last eight 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.
• Kevin Gausman has recorded a win in three of his last four road appearances against NL Central opponents.

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Blue Jays vs Pirates Prediction 

Pittsburgh comes into this series after battling the Cubs pretty closely over the weekend, but they didn’t have enough offense to get the series win. The Pirates are 34-29 at home this year, while the Blue Jays are 31-31 on the road. Toronto has scored 20 runs in their last three games and they are facing Skenes, who has allowed four earned runs in two of his last three starts. The Jays are going with Gausman, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five. Skenes is the better pitcher, but we can’t trust Pittsburgh to score. Take the Blue Jays here.