Mark Buehrle (2-0, 3.75 ERA) and Bud Norris (0-1, 12.38 ERA) are on the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Toronto Blue Jays (6-7) and the Baltimore Orioles (7-6) at the Rogers Centre. Action begins at 7:07 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Apr. 21 and can be seen on MASN2 and RSN.
Buehrle is 9-10 with a 3.54 ERA in his appearances against the Orioles, and goes up against a quality Baltimore offense which is batting .272 this season. Against the Blue Jays, Norris is 4-1 with a 4.10 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and 29 strikeouts. Caleb Joseph (.375, 6 Rs, 1 HR, 4 RBIs) went 1 for 2 yesterday with one run.
Toronto is a -135 favorite against Baltimore and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Blue Jays have recorded an overall money line of -285 and have shown a weak performance as a favorite this season with a record of 3-5. Toronto is a disappointing 2-5 as the favorite over its last 10 games. The Blue Jays are one of the best in the MLB in terms of extra base hits with 40.
In games where it is the underdog, Baltimore has a 3-3 record and an overall money line of +127. They are 3-3 as the underdog against AL East opponents, and 7-6 SU. The Orioles have a dynamic offense, ranking fifth in the league with 40 extra base hits.
The Blue Jays lead the season series, 2-1. The Blue Jays have a bad 1-5 record at home (4-7 overall) against right-handed starting pitchers, which is what they’ll be facing when Norris takes the mound.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR, O/U – Over
Notes
Baltimore recorded at least two errors for the first time this season.
The Blue Jays are 1-0 when they go into extra innings.
After a weak showing last week where they got in four hits, the Orioles need to step it up. The Blue Jays have a record of 1-1 when opponents get four hits or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Orioles are 6-2. The Blue Jays have a 6-1 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking first in runs, Toronto has earned 70 this season. Baltimore ranks eighth with 62 runs.
Ranking 17th, Baltimore is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 36 this season. Toronto ranks in the top 10 at 10th with 42.
When the Blue Jays hit at least one home run, they are 5-1. When the Orioles hit at least one homer, they have a 7-4 record.
