Drew Hutchison (9-2, 5.42 ERA) and the Toronto Blue Jays (56-52) meet Tyler Duffey (0-0, 0.00 ERA) and the Minnesota Twins (54-52) in the third of a four-game series at the Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays won the last game 3-1 and Toronto leads the series 2-0. The game starts at 7:07 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 5 and will air on FSN and RSN.
In his last start, Hutchison pitched 5.0 innings, allowing three runs (one unearned), striking out one and walking one in a 7-6 loss to the Royals. Josh Donaldson (.293, 75 Rs, 28 HRs, 78 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI. This is the first start of the season for Duffey. Brian Dozier (.251, 76 Rs, 23 HRs, 57 RBIs, 9 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run.
Toronto is a considerable -189 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at nine runs. The Blue Jays perform well as a favorite with a 40-24 record, but haven’t fared as well with the overall money line (-289). Over the last 10 games, they have a very good record when playing as the favorite (7-3). The Blue Jays come into the game with the top-ranked scoring offense in the AL, averaging 5.3 runs per game. The Blue Jays are a superb hitting team with 8.9 hits per game, one of the highest marks in the AL. They typically aren’t overmatched by pitchers, ranking fourth in the AL with an average of only 6.9 strikeouts per game. Toronto’s pitching staff performs very well on its own field, recording a low 3.34 team ERA at home. The Blue Jays don’t give up many hits to opposing batters at the Rogers Centre, ranking second in the AL with only 7.7 hits allowed per home game.
Moving on to the away team, the Twins come into this game with a win percentage of .494 when playing as the underdog (42-43) and an overall money line of +1,244. Over the last 10 games, they were winless as the underdog with a 0-6 record and 2-8 SU. Minnesota’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 5.8 runs per game during the last 10 games, higher than their season average of 4.2.
In their previous five games this season, the Blue Jays have a 3-2 record. This game will feature Duffey (RHP) on the mound against the Blue Jays, who have a 41-41 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Twins will be the right-hander Hutchison. They sport a 33-35 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – Tor, O/U – Over
Notes
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto’s last 6 games.
Toronto is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Toronto’s last 11 games at home.
Toronto is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto’s last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota.
Toronto is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games when playing at home against Minnesota.
The Blue Jays are coming off of a weak pitching game where they recorded six strikeouts. The Twins have a record of 26-14 when opponents’ pitchers have that many strikeouts or fewer.
It looks like the Blue Jays have a slight leg up on the Twins, as the Blue Jays have won their last three games while the Twins have lost their last three.
When they outhit their opponents, the Blue Jays are 48-6. The Twins have a 38-4 record when outhitting opponents.
Toronto ranks at the top of the league when it comes to runs with 569 this season. Minnesota ranks in the top half at 14th with 440.
Ranking 23rd, Minnesota is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 263 this season. Toronto ranks in the top five at second with 361.
When the Blue Jays hit at least one home run, they are 50-28, well-matched with the Twins who are 41-20 when hitting one or more homers.
