Blue Jays vs Pirates Prediction 8/20/2025 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Blue Jays vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Wednesday, August 20th 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 74-53 this season after they split the first two games in this series by scores of 2-5 and 7-3. In their game two win, Toronto scored the first five runs in the game and they were able to pick up the easy win. The Blue Jays recorded 10 hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Kirk, who went 3-5 with one home run and three RBIs in the win. Toronto started Scherzer, who allowed four hits and one earned run over 6.0 innings for the win, while Varland allowed one earned run in relief. 

Prior to this series, the Blue Jays won two out of three against the Rangers and two out of three against the Cubs. Toronto has won four of their last six games and they are currently first in the AL East standings. The Toronto pitching staff has a 4.23 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP and a .239 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 624 runs with a .268 batting average and a .338 on base percentage this season. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has led Toronto with 21 home runs and 69 RBIs, while George Springer has added 20 home runs and 61 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Toronto is Chris Bassitt, who is 11-6 with a 4.22 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP over 138.2 innings pitched this season. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 53-74 this year after they lost game two by a score of 7-3 on Tuesday night. Pittsburgh never really had a chance in this game, but they did score two late runs to make the score more respectable. The Pirates recorded eight hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Suwinski, Kiner-Falefa, and Simon, who all had one RBI in the loss. Pittsburgh started Keller, who allowed seven hits and five earned runs over 3.1 innings for the loss, while Holderman allowed two earned runs in relief. 

Prior to this series, the Pirates lost two out of three against the Cubs and all three against the Brewers. Pittsburgh has lost eight of their last ten games and they are still last in the NL Central standings. The Pittsburgh pitching staff has a 4.04 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP and a .240 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 447 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 62 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Johan Oviedo, who is 0-0 with a 18.00 ERA and a 5.00 WHIP over 1.0 inning pitched this year.

Why the Blue Jays will beat the Pirates

• The favorites have won each of the last eight games between the Blue Jays and Pirates at PNC Park.
• The Pirates have lost each of their last five day games after playing the previous day.
• The Blue Jays have covered the run line in 10 of their last 11 road games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six games as underdogs after playing the previous day.
• The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in four of their last five games as home underdogs against AL East opponents.
• The Pirates have trailed after 5 innings in five of their last six games as home underdogs against AL East opponents.

Total Runs Facts

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

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Oneil Cruz has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven appearances with the Pirates as underdogs against AL opponents.
• Andrew McCutchen has hit a home run in three of his last eight home appearances against the Blue Jays after playing the previous day.
• Johan Oviedo has recorded four or more strikeouts in 13 of his last 14 appearances against opponents that held a winning record.
• Bryan Reynolds has recorded a Double in each of the Pirates’ last three games as home underdogs against AL opponents.

Toronto Blue Jays Player Prop Facts

• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has hit a home run in four of the Blue Jays’ last five day games.
• Chris Bassitt has recorded five or more strikeouts in eight of his last nine appearances with his team as a favorite against NL Central opponents.
• Chris Bassitt has recorded a win in each of his last four appearances against the Pirates.
• Bo Bichette has recorded a Double in each of the Blue Jays’ last three day games against opponents that held a losing record.
• Bo Bichette has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 12 appearances with the Blue Jays as road favorites against NL Central opponents.

Blue Jays vs Pirates Prediction 

Toronto was able to bounce back with a nice win on Tuesday night to even this series, as they try to keep their distance from the Yankees and Red Sox. The Blue Jays are 32-32 on the road this year, while the Pirates are 35-30 at home. Pittsburgh plays their best ball at home and they are starting Oviedo, who is making just his second appearance of the year. Toronto is going with Bassitt, who has allowed at least three earned runs in four of his last five starts. I know Bassitt is struggling right now, but this is a great spot for him to bounce back. Take the Jays -1.5 here.