Baltimore Orioles vs Toronto Blue Jays Picks and Predictions July 31st 2024

After bolstering roster, Orioles eye series win over Jays

First pitch for Wednesday’s matchup between the Blue Jays and Orioles is set for 12:35 PM ET from Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore. The Orioles are the heavy favorite on the money line, with their odds sitting at -242, while the Blue Jays are +198 underdogs. The over/under line is currently 9 runs.

Grayson Rodriguez will be starting for the Orioles, while the Blue Jays are sending Paolo Espino to the mound. Toronto is 5th in the AL East, with an overall record of 50-58, while the Orioles are 1st in the AL East, going 64-44.

Toronto vs. Baltimore Key Information

• Teams: Blue Jays at Orioles
• Where: Oriole Park at Camden Yards Baltimore
• Date: Wednesday, July 31st
• Betting Odds BAL -242 | TOR +198 O/U 9

The Blue Jays Can Win If…

Paolo Espino will be making his first start of the season for the Blue Jays. He has made two appearances out of the bullpen so far, with his most recent outing coming against the Rockies. In that game, he went 2 2/3 innings and gave up 4 runs on 6 hits. He also gave up a home run in that outing.

Over his last 10 games, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been on fire, going 18/35 with five homers and 10 RBIs. For the season, he is batting .312 with 21 homers and 69 RBIs. Guerrero Jr. is also on a 13-game hitting streak. George Springer and Daulton Varsho are also among the team leaders in homers, but they are batting just .226 and .200, respectively.

As a team, the Blue Jays are averaging 4.1 runs per game and are 22nd in the league in home runs. Overall, they are batting .240, which is 14th in the league. Their team OPS of .694 is also below the league average. So far, they have been a better team on the road, averaging 4.2 runs per game.

• The Blue Jays are 6-4 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Blue Jays are 3-2 vs. the run line.
• Toronto has an over/under record of 8-2 in their last ten games.
• The Blue Jays have an average of 5.8 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Blue Jays are 5-5
• Looking back across the Blue Jays last five games as the favorite, they are 3-2
• Toronto has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Blue Jays have averaged 5.1 runs per game on offense

The Orioles Can Win If…

Right-hander Grayson Rodriguez gets the start for the Orioles today as he faces the Blue Jays at home. He has made 19 starts this season and has a record of 12-4 with an ERA of 3.82. Rodriguez’s WHIP for the season is 1.23, and opponents are batting .237 off him this year. In his last outing, he finished with a no-decision, giving up two earned runs in five innings of work. Before that, he had won two straight starts. Rodriguez has allowed at least one homer in three of his last four outings.

As a team, the Orioles are the league’s top home run hitting team, and they are also near the top of the league in terms of runs scored, averaging 5 runs per game. This is a lineup that has been especially good at home, as they are averaging 5.3 runs per game. Overall, they are batting .254, which is the 6th best mark in the league.

Anthony Santander and Gunnar Henderson have been the Orioles’ top power threats this season, with Santander’s 31 homers leading the team and Henderson’s 28 homers being the 2nd most on the team. Henderson is batting .283 for the season, while Santander comes in with a batting average of .246. Over the team’s last nine games, Colton Cowser is batting .382 with two homers and 10 RBIs.

• The Orioles are 4-6 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Orioles are 3-2 vs. the run line.
• Baltimore has an over/under record of 8-2 in their last ten games.
• The Orioles have an average of 6.6 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Orioles are 5-5
• Looking back across the Orioles last five games as the favorite, they are 3-2
• Baltimore has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Orioles have averaged 5.2 runs per game on offense

The Lean

For an over/under pick, we are leaning towards the under in this Blue Jays vs. Orioles matchup. This is projected to be the 2nd lowest-scoring game of the day, and this one has our 4th highest total home run projection. As for an Orioles starter Grayson Rodriguez, he has the 5th lowest strikeout projection among today’s starters.

The Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays face off in the final game of their series, with both teams having made significant moves in the trade market. As the dust settles from the trade deadline, these American League East rivals are ready to focus on baseball, each with their sights set on victory.

Orioles’ Roster Enhancements

The Orioles have been proactive in improving their roster, adding key players to enhance their playoff push. Starting pitchers Zach Eflin and Trevor Rogers, along with outfielder/designated hitter Eloy Jimenez, are expected to make significant contributions. Additionally, the bullpen has been strengthened with the acquisitions of relievers Seranthony Dominguez and Gregory Soto.

Manager Brandon Hyde’s Optimism

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde expressed his appreciation for the front office’s efforts to strengthen the team. He acknowledged the team’s new look and conveyed excitement about the updated roster. Hyde’s positive outlook reflects the optimism within the clubhouse as they integrate new players and aim for continued success.

Recent Performance and Key Players

Baltimore has been on a roll, winning three of their past four games, including a 6-2 victory over the Blue Jays. The team’s success is buoyed by the anticipated return of Jackson Holliday, baseball’s top prospect, who will be filling a roster spot after working his way back from Triple-A Norfolk.

Pitching Matchup: Grayson Rodriguez vs. Paolo Espino

Right-hander Grayson Rodriguez, boasting a 12-4 record and a 3.82 ERA, will take the mound for Baltimore. Rodriguez has been consistent, pitching at least five innings in his last 14 starts and maintaining a high strikeout rate. His previous success against the Blue Jays adds to the Orioles’ confidence.

In contrast, the Blue Jays’ pitching situation is less stable after several trades. Right-hander Paolo Espino, with a 7.71 ERA, will be recalled from Triple-A Buffalo for his first major league start of the season. Espino’s previous outings against Baltimore were less than stellar, adding an element of uncertainty for Toronto.

Blue Jays’ Trades and Apologies

Toronto’s general manager Ross Atkins apologized to fans for the team’s position at the trade deadline, which resulted in several key players being traded away. The Blue Jays parted with utility man Isiah Kiner-Falefa, starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, infielder Justin Turner, and several others. These moves signal a shift towards rebuilding and integrating new talent.

New Faces and Lineup Adjustments

Outfielder Joey Loperfido, acquired in a trade, will make his debut for the Blue Jays, adding a fresh face to the lineup. Toronto will also need to adjust their lineup after catcher Alejandro Kirk left the game with an elbow contusion.

Outfielder Colton Cowser’s Hitting Streak

Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser continues to be a bright spot, extending his hitting streak to 12 games. His impressive .378 batting average during this period underscores his importance to the team’s offensive success.

Conclusion

As the Orioles and Blue Jays wrap up their series, both teams are navigating the aftermath of the trade deadline with new faces and strategies. Baltimore’s roster improvements and recent performance give them a competitive edge, while Toronto looks to integrate new talent and find stability. The series finale promises to be a compelling matchup as these AL East rivals battle it out on the field.

Take your MLB handicapping to the next level with our expert MLB handicappers