Toronto Blue Jays vs Baltimore Orioles Picks and Predictions August 8th 2024

At 7:07 PM ET, the Orioles and Blue Jays face off in an AL East matchup. This one is being played at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, and the Orioles are favored on the money line (-116). The money line odds for the Blue Jays are sitting at -102.

Baltimore is currently 68-47 and they are starting Dean Kremer on Thursday. Toronto will have Kevin Gausman on the mound, and they are 5th in the AL East with a record of 52-62. MASN will be televising Thursday’s game.

Baltimore vs. Toronto Key Information

• Teams: Orioles at Blue Jays
• Where: Rogers Centre Toronto
• Date: Thursday, August 8th
• Betting Odds BAL -116 | TOR -102 O/U 9

Right-hander Dean Kremer is getting the start for the Orioles today as he faces the Blue Jays on the road. He has made 15 starts this season and has a record of 4-8 to go along with a 4.39 ERA. Kremer’s WHIP for the season is 1.25, and opponents are batting .225 off him this year. Kremer has turned in four quality starts and is coming off a rough outing where he gave up four earned runs in five innings of work. In that outing, he gave up two homers. Kremer has taken the loss in each of his last three outings.

Anthony Santander has been swinging a hot bat of late, going 13/41 in his last 10 games with five homers and 10 RBIs. For the season, he is hitting .248 with 34 homers, which is 2nd in the league. Santander’s 78 RBIs are 8th best in the MLB. Gunnar Henderson is batting .287 for the season and is 2nd on the team with 29 homers.

The Orioles have the best home run offense in the league and are also near the top of the league in runs per game, at 5.1. Not only do they lead the league in homers, but they also have the best team slugging percentage and isolated power numbers in the league. As a team, they are batting .255, which is 6th in the league.

• The Orioles are 6-4 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 5.8 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 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 4.7 runs per game on offense

Kevin Gausman gets the start for the Blue Jays today and comes in with a record of 9-8 and an ERA of 4.56. So far this year, he has made 22 starts, and opponents are batting .248 off the right-hander. Gausman’s WHIP for the season is 1.30. In his last outing, he finished with a no-decision, going 4 2/3 innings, and giving up four earned runs on eight hits. Before that, he had won three straight starts. Gausman has two complete games and one shutout this year. His ERA at home is 7.56 compared to 5.15 on the road.

After a slow start to the season, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been on fire of late, going 9/21 in his last six games with four runs scored. He also has a home run during this stretch and is batting .317 for the season with a team-high 72 RBIs and 22 homers. Guerrero Jr. is also on a 19-game hitting streak. Alejandro Kirk and Addison Barger have also been swinging the bat well of late, with Kirk going 6/15 in his last four games and Barger going 4/13 in his last five games.

As a team, the Blue Jays are 24th in the league in scoring at 4.1 runs per game. They have been a little better on the road, averaging 4.2 runs per contest. Overall, they are batting .241, which is 13th in the league, and are 5th in the league in fewest strikeouts per game.

• The Blue Jays are 4-6 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 4.4 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

Orioles Eye Series Clinch Against Blue Jays: Key Players and Strategies

The Baltimore Orioles are set to take on the Toronto Blue Jays in a crucial game to clinch the series. With a recent surge from Jackson Holliday, the Orioles are looking strong. Let’s dive into how Holliday’s hot streak, contributions from other key players, and strategic moves will play out in this pivotal matchup.

Jackson Holliday’s Impact

Since being called back from Triple-A Norfolk, 20-year-old Jackson Holliday has been a game-changer. He’s hit four home runs, three against the Blue Jays, including a grand slam and a game-winning two-run shot. This power surge has not only boosted the Orioles’ offense but also made Holliday the youngest player in American League history to homer in three straight games.

Performance Breakdown: Jackson Holliday

Holliday’s recent stats are impressive: a .375 batting average (9-for-24) with a double, four home runs, and 10 RBIs in just seven games. This is a huge leap from his earlier stint in April, where he struggled with a .059 average and no extra-base hits in 10 games. His growth and confidence at the plate are clear.

Manager Brandon Hyde’s Insights

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is thrilled with Holliday’s swing and newfound confidence. Hyde points out that Holliday’s knack for hitting fastballs and his positive attitude at the plate are key drivers of his recent success. These traits not only enhance Holliday’s performance but also lift the entire team’s spirits.

Anthony Santander’s Contributions

Anthony Santander has also been a vital force for the Orioles. His two home runs and three RBIs in a recent game against the Blue Jays highlight his offensive strength. Santander’s second homer marked his 34th of the season, setting a new career high. His consistent performance is crucial for the Orioles’ competitive edge.

Key Defensive Play by Santander

Santander’s skills aren’t limited to hitting. His leaping catch at the right-field wall to rob Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of a potential game-changing hit was a defensive gem. This play helped maintain the Orioles’ lead and showcased Santander’s commitment and defensive prowess.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s Hot Streak

The Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is on a tear, extending his hitting streak to 19 games. During this streak, he’s batting .493 with 10 doubles, nine home runs, and 18 RBIs, making him a constant threat at the plate.

Guerrero’s Defensive Challenges

Despite his offensive success, Guerrero’s defense at third base has been shaky. In a rare start at third, he committed two errors, underscoring the difficulties he faces in this position. Manager John Schneider has yet to decide if Guerrero will continue at third base regularly.

Pitching Matchup: Gausman vs. Kremer

The pitching duel for this crucial game features Kevin Gausman for the Blue Jays and Dean Kremer for the Orioles. Both have histories with their opponents that could shape the game’s outcome.

Kevin Gausman’s Recent Performance

Gausman, with a 9-8 record and a 4.56 ERA this season, has struggled against the Orioles, holding a 1-4 record with a 5.35 ERA over six starts. In his last outing against Baltimore, Gausman allowed six runs on six hits over 6 1/3 innings. The Blue Jays need a solid performance from him to counter the Orioles’ potent offense.

Dean Kremer’s Role for the Orioles

Dean Kremer, with a 4-8 record and a 4.39 ERA, knows the Blue Jays well. He has a 3-3 record with a 4.35 ERA in 10 career games against Toronto. Kremer’s ability to handle the Blue Jays’ lineup will be key for the Orioles in this decisive game.

Orioles’ Roster Moves

The Orioles have adjusted their roster, placing Grayson Rodriguez, Jacob Webb, and Heston Kjerstad on the injured list. To fill these gaps, they recalled Bryan Baker and Keegan Akin from Triple-A Norfolk and signed infielder J.D. Davis to a minor league deal. These moves aim to strengthen the team as they head into the season’s final stretch.

Impact of Injuries on Orioles

The injuries to key players like Rodriguez and Webb could impact the Orioles’ pitching depth. However, the team’s proactive roster adjustments indicate a strong approach to maintaining their competitive edge.

Comparative Analysis: Orioles vs. Blue Jays

When comparing the Orioles and Blue Jays, their strengths and weaknesses stand out. The Orioles have been buoyed by power hitters like Holliday and Santander, while the Blue Jays rely heavily on Guerrero’s consistent offense. The game will hinge on how well each team leverages their strengths and addresses their defensive and pitching challenges.

Orioles’ Strategy for Success

The Orioles will likely focus on keeping their offensive momentum, especially through hitters like Holliday and Santander. Defensively, supporting Kremer to minimize the Blue Jays’ scoring chances will be crucial.

Blue Jays’ Game Plan to Counter Orioles

The Blue Jays need to stabilize their defense, particularly if Guerrero continues at third base. Offensively, they’ll aim to sustain Guerrero’s hot streak and improve situational hitting. Gausman’s performance will be pivotal in their strategy to counter the Orioles.

Fan Expectations and Predictions

Fans are excited for this decisive game, with Orioles supporters hopeful for a series win and Blue Jays fans looking for a strong comeback. Experts predict a tightly contested matchup, with both teams having clear paths to victory.

Historical Performance in Similar Situations

Historically, the Orioles have shown resilience in decisive games, often stepping up under pressure. Conversely, the Blue Jays have a knack for bouncing back in must-win situations, making this game an intriguing matchup.

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Long-term Implications of the Series

The outcome of this series will significantly impact both teams’ playoff hopes. A win for the Orioles would solidify their position, while a victory for the Blue Jays would boost their postseason chances.

The stage is set for a thrilling game as the Orioles and Blue Jays battle it out. With key players performing at their best and strategic moves in play, fans can expect an exciting and closely fought contest.

The Lean

For a money-line pick, we would be leaning toward the Orioles to come out on top in this one. As for how we would play the over/under line, we would go with the over, as this is projected to be the 8th lowest-scoring game of today’s slate, and this one has the 4th highest home run projection. Looking at today’s starters, Kevin Gausman is 7th in our projections in strikeouts, while Dean Kremer is 2nd worst.