Toronto Blue Jays vs Baltimore Orioles Picks and Predictions August 7th 2024

Bowden Francis, Blue Jays bid for repeat performance vs. Orioles

The Orioles and Blue Jays are set to face off in an AL East matchup at 7:07 PM ET at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. Baltimore is 67-47 this season, while the Blue Jays are 52-61. Bowden Francis is starting for the Blue Jays, while the Orioles are going with Trevor Rogers.

The Orioles are the betting favorite on the money line, with their odds sitting at -151 compared to the Blue Jays at +128. Wednesday’s over/under line is at 9.5 runs, and the game can be seen on MASN.

Baltimore vs. Toronto Key Information

• Teams: Orioles at Blue Jays
• Where: Rogers Centre Toronto
• Date: Wednesday, August 7th
• Betting Odds BAL -151 | TOR +128 O/U 9.5

The Orioles Can Win If…

Trevor Rogers is looking to bounce back from a rough outing, as he gets the start for the Orioles today. Against the Guardians on August 1st, he took the loss, giving up five earned runs in 4 1/3 innings of work. Looking back over his last four starts, Rogers has finished with a no-decision in three of them. He has made 22 starts this year and has a record of 2-10 with a 4.76 ERA. Opposing batters are hitting .273 this year off Rogers, and he has issued 4.02 walks per nine innings compared to 7.22 strikeouts.

So far this season, the Orioles have been the league’s top home run hitting team and are also near the top of the league in terms of runs scored, averaging 5.1 runs per contest. They have been even better on the road, averaging 5.3 runs per game. Overall, they are 6th in batting average and lead the league in slugging percentage. As a team, they are also 3rd in terms of OPS.

Both Gunnar Henderson and Anthony Santander have put together strong seasons at the plate for the Orioles. Henderson comes into the game with a batting average of .290 and has gone 11/28 in his last seven games. Santander has a team-high 32 homers and is 8th in the league with 75 RBIs.

• The Orioles are 6-4 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Orioles are 2-3 vs. the run line.
• Baltimore has an over/under record of 8-2 in their last ten games.
• The Orioles have an average of 5.0 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Orioles are 4-6
• Looking back across the Orioles last five games as the favorite, they are 2-3
• Baltimore has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Orioles have averaged 4.8 runs per game on offense

The Blue Jays Can Win If…

Bowden Francis is getting the start for the Blue Jays today and comes into the game with a record of 4-3 and an ERA of 5.64. So far this year, he has made 18 appearances and 4 starts. In his last outing, Francis took the loss, giving up one earned run in one-third of an inning of work out of the bullpen. Before that, he had won two straight decisions. The right-hander’s WHIP for the season is 1.46, and opponents are batting .276 off him this year. Francis has allowed a total of 10 home runs this season.

For the season, the Blue Jays are averaging 4.1 runs per game, which is 23rd in the league. They are also near the bottom of the league in home runs and have a team batting average of just .240. However, they do have the 11th best on-base percentage in the league and are the 5th toughest team to strike out.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been one of the league’s top hitters this season, as he is batting .317 with a league-leading 72 RBIs and 22 home runs. He has also been hot of late, going 8/18 in his last five games. George Springer and Daulton Varsho are also near the top of the team’s home run leaderboard, but both are batting below .230 for the season.

• The Blue Jays are 5-5 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 7-3 in their last ten games.
• The Blue Jays have an average of 4.6 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Blue Jays are 3-7
• 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 4.6 runs per game on offense

The Lean

For an over/under pick, our lean would be on the over, as this is our highest projected scoring game of the day. As for who is going to take this one straight up, we have our lean on the Blue Jays to pick up the win. The Blue Jays have the best team hits and runs scored projection in the league today. Bowden Francis isn’t projected to work very deep into the game, but he has the 4th best chances to pick up a win among today’s starters.

As the Toronto Blue Jays prepare to face off against the Baltimore Orioles, all eyes are on Bowden Francis as he takes the mound in hopes of delivering another winning performance. With the series on the line, both teams are eager to capitalize on their strengths and overcome recent setbacks. Let’s dive into the key elements that will shape this matchup and explore the dynamics at play.

The Pitching Matchup: Bowden Francis vs. Trevor Rogers

Bowden Francis: Rising to the Challenge

Bowden Francis, the right-handed pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, is set to start against the Baltimore Orioles. Francis, with a 4-3 record and a 5.64 ERA, is aiming to replicate his recent success against the Orioles. On July 29, he allowed just three runs over 5 2/3 innings, contributing to Toronto’s 8-4 victory in Baltimore.

Despite a brief and unfortunate relief appearance against the New York Yankees that resulted in a loss, Francis holds a 1-0 record and a 5.52 ERA in six career outings against the Orioles. This game presents an opportunity for Francis to solidify his role in the rotation and build on his previous performance against Baltimore.

Trevor Rogers: A Fresh Start with the Orioles

Trevor Rogers, a left-hander acquired from the Miami Marlins, will start for the Baltimore Orioles. Rogers has faced challenges this season, with a 2-10 record and a 4.76 ERA. His debut with the Orioles saw him struggle against the Cleveland Guardians, allowing five runs over 4 1/3 innings.

Rogers’ history against the Blue Jays includes a single start where he gave up three runs and five hits over five innings in June 2021. As he seeks to find his rhythm with his new team, this game represents a critical opportunity for Rogers to showcase his potential and contribute to an Orioles victory.

Toronto Blue Jays: Building on Success

The Toronto Blue Jays are coming off a crucial 5-2 win against the Orioles, highlighted by Alejandro Kirk’s three-run homer and a stellar performance from right-hander Chris Bassitt. Bassitt’s season-best nine strikeouts over seven innings underscore the team’s ability to dominate on the mound.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., a key offensive force for the Blue Jays, extended his hitting streak to 18 games with a single in the sixth inning. Batting .500 (33-for-66) during this streak, Guerrero Jr.’s contributions are pivotal as Toronto aims to clinch the series.

Baltimore Orioles: Navigating Challenges

The Orioles faced an unexpected setback when scheduled starter Grayson Rodriguez was scratched due to right upper back and shoulder discomfort during warmups. Albert Suarez stepped up admirably, delivering five scoreless innings and demonstrating the depth and resilience of Baltimore’s pitching staff.

Colton Cowser, who entered the game with a 17-game hitting streak, went 0-for-3 before being replaced by pinch hitter Coby Mayo. Manager Brandon Hyde’s strategic decision to use Mayo with the bases loaded did not pay off, as Mayo struck out against Toronto’s Genesis Cabrera.

Defensive Brilliance: The Impact of Daulton Varsho

Daulton Varsho’s defensive prowess continues to shine for the Toronto Blue Jays. His leaping catch at the wall exemplifies his exceptional skills, earning high praise from teammate Chris Bassitt. Bassitt lauded Varsho as the best defender in baseball, suggesting he deserves the Platinum Glove for his contributions.

Varsho’s defense plays a crucial role in Toronto’s strategy, preventing potential game-changing hits and providing a reliable presence in the outfield. His ability to make challenging plays elevates the Blue Jays’ defensive capabilities and underscores their commitment to excellence.

Managerial Insights: Strategic Decisions

Brandon Hyde: Adapting to the Unexpected

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde faced a challenging situation with Grayson Rodriguez’s injury. Hyde praised Albert Suarez for stepping in and delivering five scoreless innings, highlighting the team’s adaptability and depth.

Hyde’s decision to utilize Coby Mayo with the bases loaded reflects his strategic approach to maximize scoring opportunities. Despite the outcome, Hyde’s ability to make calculated decisions under pressure is a testament to his managerial acumen.

John Schneider: Navigating the Blue Jays’ Path

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider is focused on maintaining momentum and securing a series victory. With Bowden Francis on the mound and key players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Daulton Varsho contributing significantly, Schneider’s leadership is vital to the team’s success.

Schneider’s emphasis on leveraging strengths and addressing challenges positions the Blue Jays for continued success as they aim to climb the standings in a competitive division.

Conclusion

As the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles prepare to clash in this pivotal matchup, both teams are eager to capitalize on their strengths and address recent challenges. Bowden Francis and Trevor Rogers will play crucial roles in determining the outcome, with each pitcher seeking to deliver a standout performance.

The Blue Jays, buoyed by recent victories and key contributions from players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Daulton Varsho, are determined to secure a series win. Meanwhile, the Orioles aim to overcome setbacks and demonstrate their resilience as they navigate the season.

This game promises to be a compelling battle of strategy, skill, and determination, with both teams striving to achieve their goals on the path to success.

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