Aaron Sanchez (3-4, 4.17 ERA) and Taijuan Walker (1-4, 7.47 ERA) start in the last of a three-game series between the Toronto Blue Jays (19-26) and the Seattle Mariners (20-22) at the Rogers Centre. The Mariners won the last game 3-2 and Seattle leads the series 2-0. Action begins at 1:07 p.m. ET on Sunday, May. 24 and can be seen on ROOT-NW and RSN.
Sanchez pitched 7.1 innings in his last outing, surrendering three runs, striking out five and walking three in a 3-2 defeat to the Angels. Josh Donaldson (.302, 32 Rs, 9 HRs, 28 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run. Against the Blue Jays, Walker is 0-1 with a 1.12 ERA, 0.62 WHIP, and six strikeouts. Nelson Cruz (.352, 29 Rs, 17 HRs, 34 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
Toronto is a -130 favorite against Seattle and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at nine runs. The Blue Jays have an overall money line of -748 and a record as the favorite of 11-8. The Blue Jays have no trouble scoring as they lead the AL in offense with 5.1 runs per game. The Blue Jays lead the MLB in extra base hits with 148. Crossing over to the pitching staff, the Blue Jays are the third-best team in the AL at limiting hits during home games, allowing only 7.5 hits per game to their opponents this season.
As for their opponent, Seattle is coming in with an overall money line of -733 and a disappointing record of 4-8 as the underdog.
The Mariners have the edge in the season series, 2-0. The Blue Jays have a bad 13-22 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Walker takes the mound. Sanchez (RHP) will be on the hill against the Mariners, who have a 15-17 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Seattle is 8-5, while Toronto is 10-9.
The Blue Jays are coming off of a weak pitching game where they recorded six strikeouts. The Mariners have a record of 10-7 when opponents’ pitchers have that many strikeouts or fewer.
It looks like the Mariners have a slight leg up on the Blue Jays, as the Mariners have won their last two games while the Blue Jays have lost their last two.
When they outhit their opponents, the Mariners are 10-8. The Blue Jays have a 17-4 record when outhitting opponents.
Toronto ranks at the top of the league when it comes to runs with 228 this season. Seattle ranks near the bottom at 24th with 159.
Ranking 19th, Seattle is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 114 this season. Toronto ranks in the top five at fifth with 148.
When the Blue Jays hit at least one home run, they are 16-12, well-matched with the Mariners who are 17-12 when hitting one or more homers.
