The Toronto Blue Jays and the Pittsburgh Pirates meet in MLB action from PNC Park on Sunday. Let’s dive into the odds, starting pitching matchup, history and make a prediction for this game.
Odds
Toronto is a -140 road favorite while Pittsburgh is a +120 home underdog. The total for this game is set at 9 runs.
Starting Pitching Matchup
Yusei Kikuchi will start for Toronto and is 4-0 with a 4.02 ERA and 30 strikeouts this season. Pittsburgh will start Roansy Contreras here and he is 3-2 with a 4.09 ERA and 27 strikeouts this season.
Matchup History
Toronto’s 8-2 win on Saturday made it seven straight wins for the Blue Jays in this head-to-head matchup over the Pirates.
Trends
Toronto is 12-5 in their last 17 interleague games and 6-1 in their last 7 games following a win while the over is 5-0 in their last 5 games against a team with a right-handed starter. Pittsburgh is 6-1 in their last 7 games against a team with a right-handed starter and 6-2 in their last 8 home games while the under is 4-1 in their last 5 interleague games.
Pick
I’m rolling with Toronto here. The Pirates had quite the start to the season but are really starting to cool off after that hot start and while I haven’t been the biggest fan of Yusei Kikuchi in the past, there’s no denying what he has brought to the table this season. I just don’t think I’m ready to back the Pirates to stop the streak here and while the Piraqtes will pull out of this nosedive, I’m backing Toronto to finish the job and complete the sweep here.