J.A. Happ (2-0, 1.89 ERA) and Chris Bassitt (0-0, 2.79 ERA) start in the second of a three-game series between the Toronto Blue Jays (8-10) and the Oakland Athletics (10-7) at the Rogers Centre. The Athletics won the last game 8-5, continuing a six-game winning streak. Action begins at 1:07 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 23 and can be seen on CSCA and RSN.
Happ pitched 7.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering one run, striking out four and walking one in a 4-3 win over the Red Sox. Josh Donaldson (.282, 16 Rs, 6 HRs, 15 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday. Bassitt went 7.0 innings, surrendering two runs, striking out five and walking two in a 3-2 win over the Royals in his most recent start. Coco Crisp (.227, 7 Rs, 2 HRs, 3 RBIs, 4 SBs) has been successful at the plate to the start the season, going 2 for 3 yesterday with one run and one RBI.
The odds for Toronto and Oakland are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available. The Blue Jays have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 0.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 0.0 runs per game. Toronto’s batters do not strike out very often, with only 9.7 per game. Toronto’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0.
Offensively, the Athletics have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. Moving on to Oakland’s pitching staff and defense, the Athletics allow just 0.0 runs per game, ranking them fifth in the AL. When it comes to preventing batters from getting hits, the Athletics are third in the AL on the road with an average of 6.2 hits allowed per away game.
The Athletics have the edge in the season series, 1-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR
Notes
Toronto has won 25% (2-6) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Oakland has won 80% (4-1) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Athletics managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Blue Jays who are heading in with a 2-4 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Blue Jays are 1-8. The Athletics have a 2-5 record when opponents outhit them.
Both falling in the top half of the league based on total home runs this season, Toronto ranks 15th with 16 homers and Oakland is 12th with 17.
Ranking 24th, Toronto is near the bottom of the league in hits, notching 7.41 per game. Oakland ranks in the bottom half at 20th with 7.81.
Toronto and Oakland both rank near the bottom of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Toronto sits at 21st with an OPS of .684, and Oakland ranks 25th with an OPS of .669.
The Athletics are 5-5 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Blue Jays are 5-6 when they allow at least one homer.
