Yovani Gallardo (4-6, 5.69 ERA) and Aaron Sanchez (12-2, 2.99 ERA) take the hill in the last of a three-game series between the Baltimore Orioles (72-60) and the Toronto Blue Jays (75-57) at Camden Yards. The Orioles won the last game 5-3, and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 7:05 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 31 and can be seen on MASN and RSN.
Gallardo pitched 1.1 innings in his most recent start, surrendering eight runs (one unearned) and walking one in a 14-4 defeat to the Yankees. Manny Machado (.306, 92 Rs, 32 HRs, 83 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and two RBIs. Sanchez went 4.0 innings, surrendering five runs (one unearned), striking out five and walking one in a 6-5 win over the Indians in his last outing. Josh Donaldson (.294, 106 Rs, 34 HRs, 92 RBIs, 6 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
Toronto takes on Baltimore as a -154 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at nine runs. Though the Orioles have had a solid season in terms of their overall money line (+1,118), they’ve have done poorly as an underdog with a record of 25-38. Within its division, Baltimore has a 12-5 as the underdog and a 28-24 SU. The Orioles lead the MLB in home runs with 208.
In the other locker room, Toronto is coming in with an overall money line of +39 and an impressive record of 61-38 as the favorite. They have been playing solid baseball as favorite with a 22-14 record against AL East rivals, and a 30-23 record SU. Offensively, they average 4.9 runs per game, which is good for second in the AL. The Blue Jays have a dynamic offense, ranking fourth in the league with 445 extra base hits. Toronto is excellent at drawing walks with an AL-best 3.8 per game. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Blue Jays are one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.226 for the season.
The Blue Jays lead the season series, 8-7. The Orioles have a 53-42 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Sanchez takes the mound. Gallardo (RHP) will be on the hill against the Blue Jays, who have a 55-39 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR, O/U – Over
Notes
Toronto has won 52% (29-27) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Baltimore has won 62% (36-22) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Blue Jays are coming off of a weak pitching game where they recorded five strikeouts. The Orioles have a record of 17-7 when opponents’ pitchers have five strikeouts or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Orioles are 47-9. The Blue Jays have a 60-9 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking eighth, Baltimore is in the top 10 of the league in runs, scoring 621 this season. Toronto ranks in the top five with 648.
Ranking 23rd, Baltimore is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 372 this season. Toronto ranks in the top five at third with 493.
The Orioles are 60-39 when they hit at least one home run. The Blue Jays perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 67-34 record.
