Toronto Blue Jays vs Oakland Athletics Picks and Predictions August 9th 2024

From the Rogers Centre in Toronto, we have the Athletics and Blue Jays facing off in an AL matchup. First pitch for this one is set for 7:07 PM ET. NSPCA is carrying this one on TV.

The Blue Jays are the slight favorite on the money line, with their odds sitting at -132 compared to the Athletics at +111. Friday’s over/under line is 8.5 runs, and the forecast calls for thunderstorms in Toronto. Mitch Spence is starting for the Athletics, while the Blue Jays are going with Jose Berrios. In the AL West, the Athletics are 5th, while the Blue Jays are 5th in the AL East.

Oakland vs. Toronto Key Information

Oakland is sending Mitch Spence to the mound today vs. the Blue Jays, and he comes in with a record of 7-7 and an ERA of 4.39. This year, he has made 14 starts, and opponents are batting .246 off the right-hander. In his 25 appearances, Spence has turned in three quality starts. Looking back at his last outing, Spence took the loss vs. the Dodgers, giving up two earned runs in 5 2/3 innings of work. Before that, he had won two straight starts. So far, he has been much better at home, with an ERA of 3.81 compared to 7.1 on the road.

So far this season, the Athletics are averaging 4.1 runs per game, which is 26th in the league. However, they have been a better offensive team at home, averaging 4.4 runs per game. As a team, they are batting just .230, which is 21st in the league, and their on-base percentage of .301 is 22nd. The Athletics have been one of the league’s top home run-hitting teams this season, as they are 4th in the league in homers.

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Brent Rooker has been a bright spot for the Athletics this season, as he is batting .291 with a team-high 28 home runs and 81 RBIs. Over his last nine games, he has three homers and is batting .258. Miguel Andujar has also been swinging a good bat of late, batting .314 over his last nine games.

José Berríos will be looking to bounce back from a rough outing against the Yankees, as he gets the start for the Blue Jays today. In that August 3rd start, he took the loss and gave up six earned runs in five innings of work. Looking back further, Berríos has lost three of his last four starts. For the season, he is 9-9 with a 4.11 ERA and has a WHIP of 1.22. Berríos has made 23 starts, and opponents are batting .237 this season. Out of his 23 starts, Berríos has 13 quality starts and one complete game.

So far this season, the Blue Jays offense is averaging 4.2 runs per game, which is 23rd in the league. Overall, they are batting .240, and their team on-base percentage of .313 is 13th in the league. Toronto’s offense has been led by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who is batting .321 for the season and has gone 17/32 in his last nine games. During this stretch, he has three homers and 10 RBIs. Guerrero Jr. is also 10th in the MLB with 76 RBIs.

Guerrero Jr. is also on a 20-game hitting streak, and the Blue Jays also have Alejandro Kirk on a five-game streak. George Springer and Daulton Varsho are tied for 2nd on the team with 13 homers, but Springer is batting just .223, and Varsho comes in at .205.

Today’s game between the Athletics and Blue Jays has the 2nd lowest combined runs projection and 2nd lowest hits projection. However, we are leaning towards taking the over. As for how we would play the money line in this one, we are leaning towards the Athletics to come out on top. Between the two starters, we have Mitch Spence finishing with more strikeouts than José Berríos for the Blue Jays.

A’s Aim for Another Series Win as They Face Blue Jays

The Oakland Athletics keep on amazing as they head into a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays, starting Friday night. Riding the force of a new homestand that saw them secure their fifth series triumph in the past seven, the An’s are hoping to expand on their 18-12 record starting from the start of July. The team’s resurgence has been marked areas of strength for by both on the hill and at the plate, making way for what vows to be a captivating matchup in Toronto.

Mason Mill operator Back to Frame for A’s

One of the central participants in Oakland’s new achievement is nearer Mason Mill operator, who got back to action in dominant fashion on Wednesday. Mill operator, who had been sidelined since July 22 with a fractured left pinky finger, wasted no time in making an impact. In his most memorable appearance back, he pitched an ideal 10th inning to get his sixteenth save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Chicago White Sox. Mill operator’s fastball was electric, with nine of his 13 contributes timing at 100 mph or faster.

“He got back the last known point of interest,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said after the game. “You don’t have any idea what you will get from a first excursion. He didn’t go on a rehab assignment, so there’s those contemplations going through your head of how he will emerge and go into rivalry. I think it was a great first outing for him.”

Miller, who has been a reliable force in Oakland’s bullpen, expressed confidence after his return. “Obviously, you’re getting your sea legs back under you a little bit, but I felt good,” he said. In his career, Miller has faced the Blue Jays three times, including twice this season, pitching four scoreless innings with six strikeouts. As he settles back into his role, Miller’s presence at the back end of the bullpen could be crucial for the A’s as they face a potent Blue Jays lineup.

Mitch Spence Set to Start for Oakland

On the hill for Oakland in Friday’s opener will be correct hander Mitch Spence, who enters the game with a 7-7 record and a 4.40 ERA. Spence has faced the Blue Jays once previously, conveying a strong performance in a seven-inning outing on June 9, where he allowed only two runs on five hits. His ability to navigate Toronto’s setup will be critical on the off chance that the A’s desire to expand their triumphant ways.

Blue Jays Enjoying some real success After Series Win

The Toronto Blue Jays, meanwhile, are falling off an exhilarating series prevail upon the Baltimore Orioles, capped by a dramatic 7-6 victory on Thursday. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was the star of the game, coming just a solitary short of hitting for the cycle. Guerrero’s two-run homer in the fifth inning, which he hit before his father, Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, loosened up his hitting streak to 20 games.

“Once I hit it, I knew it was gone,” Guerrero said. “Not until I touched home plate and when I pointed at him, I was kind of like, ‘Wow, finally he saw one.’” The elder Guerrero’s presence added a special moment to an already remarkable streak for his son, who is currently hitting .507 (37-for-73) with 11 doubles, 10 home runs, 22 RBIs, and 23 runs during the streak.

Toronto starter Kevin Gausman, who pitched eight strong innings in Thursday’s win, praised Guerrero’s performance, saying, “He’s the best hitter in baseball right now. I don’t know what I would do if I was facing him.”

Jose Berrios Takes the Hill for Toronto

The Blue Jays will turn to right-hander Jose Berrios in the series opener. Berrios, who has a 9-9 record with a 4.11 ERA this season, has had mixed results against Oakland in the past. In 10 career starts against the A’s, he is 2-3 with a 3.72 ERA. Berrios will be looking to build on his recent performances and provide stability for a Blue Jays team that is fighting to stay in the playoff hunt.

Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirk has also been a bright spot for the team, continuing his hot streak at the plate. Kirk went 1-for-2 with an RBI and two walks on Thursday and is batting .375 over his past 18 games.

Key Additions and Absences for Toronto

The Blue Jays made a program continue on Thursday, placing left-hander Beginning Cabrera on the paternity list and adding right-hander Tommy Nance, who was as of late acquired from the San Diego Padres. Nance’s arrival gives Toronto another choice in the warm up area as they hope to navigate a challenging stretch of the season.

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Charming Series Ahead

This series presents a fascinating clash between an Athletics team that has been surpassing expectations and a Blue Jays squad loaded with talent and battling for postseason situating. The performances of players like Mason Mill operator and Mitch Spence will be critical for Oakland, while Toronto will lean heavily on stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Jose Berrios.

With the two teams falling off series wins and hoping to gather speed, this end of the week’s games in Toronto vow to convey a lot of energy and could have significant implications for the playoff race.