| MATCHUP | Toronto Blue Jays | Pittsburgh Pirates |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 73-53 | 53-73 |
| Where | PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | |
| When | Tuesday, August 19, 2025 | |
| Time | 06:40 PM EDT | |
| TV | Sportsnet | |
The Toronto Blue Jays and the Pittsburgh Pirates meet Tuesday in MLB action from PNC Park. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Toronto Blue Jays vs. Pittsburgh Pirates prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Toronto Blue Jays will send out Max Scherzer for the start here and Scherzer is 3-2 with a 3.83 ERA and 52 strikeouts this season. In his last five starts against the Pirates, Scherzer is 1-0 with a 2.20 ERA and 30 strikeouts. Mitch Keller will get the start for the Pirates and is 5-11 with a 4.13 ERA and 112 strikeouts this season. This will be Keller’s second career start against the Blue Jays.
Toronto Blue Jays Recap
The Toronto Blue Jays come into this game looking to rebound from a 5-2 loss at the hands of the Pirates in Monday’s matchup to sit at 73-53 this season. After this series, the Blue Jays will head on the road for a series against the Miami Marlins.
Blue Jays Drop Back-To-Back Games
George Springer has 102 hits and Bo Bichette has 153 hits with Springer adding 19 home runs, a triple, 18 doubles and 59 RBIs while Bichette has 37 doubles, 16 home runs and 81 RBIs. Andres Gimenez has added 50 hits with 7 doubles and 5 home runs and 23 RBIs this season along with 10 stolen bases. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also has 21 homers, 30 doubles and 68 RBIs while Springer also has a .290 batting average and 78 strikeouts up to this point in the year. Addison Barger’s chipped in 25 doubles with 18 home runs and 59 RBIs and Ernie Clement’s added 24 doubles as part of his 122 hits this season.
Why the Toronto Blue Jays will win
- The Blue Jays have won each of their last 11 Tuesday night games against NL Central opponents.
- The Pirates have lost seven of their last eight games after playing the previous day.
- The Blue Jays have covered the run line in each of their last nine Tuesday games against NL Central opponents.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in 13 of their last 15 night games against AL East opponents.
Toronto Blue Jays Player Prop Facts
- Daulton Varsho has hit at least one home run in five of his last six appearances with the Blue Jays as favorites against NL opponents.
- Daulton Varsho has recorded a Double in four of the Blue Jays’ last five games as road favorites against NL Central opponents.
- Max Scherzer has recorded a win in five of his last six appearances in night games against teams that held a losing record.
- Max Scherzer has recorded six or more strikeouts in 13 of his last 14 road appearances against NL opponents that held a losing record.
- Andres Gimenez has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine appearances in night games.
- Bo Bichette ranks 1st in the league in Hits (154) this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates Recap
The Pittsburgh Pirates come into this game looking to add on to their win over the Blue Jays in Monday’s opener to sit at 53-73 this season. After this series, the Pirates will head home for a series against the Colorado Rockies.
Pirates Lost 7 Of 9 Despite Win On Monday
Bryan Reynolds has 13 hits with 27 doubles, 13 home runs and 61 RBIs while also posting 136 strikeouts so far this season. Oneil Cruz has posted a team-high 18 home runs and 51 RBIs with 34 stolen bases while Isiah Kiner-Falefa has 97 hits with 17 doubles and 15 stolen bases. Cruz also has a team-high 145 strikeouts as well this season. Tommy Pham has 12 doubles and Andrew McCutchen has 91 hits with 17 doubles as well this season.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Pirates have won each of their last three games as underdogs against American League opponents.
- The Blue Jays have lost each of their last three games as road favorites following a road loss.
- The Pirates have covered the run line each of their last six games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Blue Jays have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games as road favorites following a road loss.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Bryan Reynolds has hit a home run in three of the Pirates’ last seven home games against AL East opponents.
- Bryan Reynolds has recorded a Double in each of the Pirates’ last three games as underdogs against AL opponents.
- Mitch Keller has recorded a win in five of his last six appearances in night games against AL teams that held a winning record.
- Mitch Keller has recorded four or more strikeouts in 15 of his last 16 appearances with the Pirates as underdogs against AL opponents.
- Tommy Pham has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances with the Pirates as underdogs against AL opponents.
Total Runs Facts
- Four of the Blue Jays’ last five games against NL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Four of the Pirates’ last five games as underdogs against the Blue Jays have gone OVER the total runs line.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction
I’m backing the Blue Jays here. I think Toronto bounces back after a rough showing on Monday and face Keller, who should have a better record this season but also has a problem with getting run support. I think that could continue to be an issue against Scherzer, who is easily in his best form since becoming a Blue Jay. Give me Toronto in this one.