After spending the majority of the season in the depths of mediocrity, the Pittsburgh Pirates have suddenly hit their stride and are a legitimate threat in the NL Central race as a result. The Bucs will face off against the Toronto Blue Jays this afternoon, where sportsbooks opened them as -115 road favorites with a total of 9.5.
- The Pirates are 4-1 in their last five meetings with the Blue Jays.
- The UNDER is 8-1 in Trevor Williams’ last nine starts.
- The Blue Jays are 6-1 in their last seven interleague games.
Trevor Williams and Chris Rowley are expected to get the nod for the Pirates and Jays, respectively. Williams (5-4, 4.17 ERA) allowed Detroit only one hit in seven scoreless innings in his last start on Monday. The hurler owns a 1.47 ERA over his last three starts and has allowed just two home runs in his last 10 appearances.
Rowley, who turns 27 on Monday, is making his major-league debut but fared well last year at Class-A Dunedin, going 10-3 with a 3.49 ERA in 31 games. This season, he notched a 1.73 ERA in Double-A ball and proceeded to go 3-3 with a 2.39 ERA in six starts for the Jays’ Triple-A club.
The UNDER is trending when the Pirates and Jays collide north of the border. In the last five matchups between the squads in Canada, the UNDER is 4-1.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Sportsbooks such as Sportsbook had installed the Toronto Blue Jays as -118 moneyline favorites in this particular MLB betting odds matchup. The total, meanwhile, was set early at 9.5 before betting at Sportsbook started to move the line.
OddsShark computer prediction formulas pick a 4.0-3.7 win for the Pirates on Saturday. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming MLB matchups here.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Toronto Blue Jays Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
54-61 Toronto battles the Pirates, currently with a 58-58 mark. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Toronto vs Pittsburgh injuries news.
This game puts the Toronto Blue Jays, most recently No. 25 in OddsShark MLB Power Rankings, up against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who rate a No. 20 in the latest survey.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Toronto Blue Jays No. 26-rated offense, averaging 4.25 runs per game, against a Pittsburgh Pirates defense that ranks No. 12 at 4.47 in runs allowed per game. The Toronto Blue Jays have averaged 8.19 hits per game so far, less than Pittsburgh Pirates batters have averaged on the year (8.34 hits per game).
Toronto owns the No. 22 defense, allowing 4.25 men per game to cross the plate. That contrasts with Pittsburgh's No. 12-rated defense.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Pittsburgh looks to continue its winning ways following a victory last time out against the Blue Jays, a 4-2 final on Friday in support of Jameson Taillon at Rogers Centre.
- Pittsburgh is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
- Pittsburgh is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games on the road
- Toronto is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games
- Toronto is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games at home
- Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
Next Betting Matchups
Pittsburgh at Toronto, Sunday, August 13
