Mark Buehrle (12-5, 3.34 ERA) and the Toronto Blue Jays (61-52) meet Aaron Brooks (1-0, 2.41 ERA) and the Oakland Athletics (51-62) in the second of a three-game series at the Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays won the last game 4-2, extending an eight-game winning streak. The game starts at 7:07 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 12 and will air on CSCA and RSN.
In his most recent outing, Buehrle pitched 7.0 innings, giving up three runs, striking out one and walking one in a 9-3 victory over the Twins. Jose Bautista (.240, 74 Rs, 27 HRs, 79 RBIs, 5 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI. The Athletics were unsuccessful to the Astros 5-4 the last time Brooks pitched. He went 7.0 innings, allowing one run, striking out seven and walking one. Ben Zobrist (.277, 45 Rs, 9 HRs, 41 RBIs, 1 SB) has been doing well offensively for the Athletics, going 3 for 3 yesterday with one run.
Toronto is a considerable -213 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at eight runs. The Blue Jays have a winning record of 43-24 when playing as the favorite and an overall money line of +258. Over the last 10 games, they have a very good record when playing as the favorite (7-1). The Blue Jays have the most prolific home offense in the entire AL, averaging 5.6 runs per game. The Blue Jays are a power hitting team with 154 home runs, one of the highest totals in the MLB. They have been very patient at the plate during home games, leading the AL with an average of 3.6 walks per game. The most recent 10 game stretch for Toronto’s pitching staff has gone great. Over that span, Toronto’s opponents are averaging 2.8 runs per game, below their season average of 4.1. The Blue Jays are the best in the AL in hits allowed at home, giving up just 7.7 per game.
Moving on to the away team, the Athletics come into this game with a weak win percentage of .400 when playing as the underdog (20-30) and an overall money line of -1,942. The Athletics average just 6.6 strikeouts per game, one of the lowest marks in the AL. Switching gears to Oakland’s pitching staff, they have a WHIP of 1.20 on the year, good for fourth in the league.
The Blue Jays are 3-1 against the Athletics this season. This game will feature Brooks (RHP) on the mound against the Blue Jays, who have a 46-41 record when they take on a right-handed starter. The left-handed Buehrle will take the mound against the Athletics. Against lefty starters this season, they have a terrible 9-21 record overall and 2-10 on the road.
Predictions: SU Winner – Tor, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Toronto is 31-22, while Oakland is 21-28.
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the Athletics are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Blue Jays have an 8-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
When they outhit their opponents, the Athletics are 39-13. The Blue Jays have a 51-6 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking first in runs, Toronto has earned 597 this season. Oakland ranks 15th with 463 runs.
Ranking 12th, Oakland is in the top half of the league in walks, notching 325 this season. Toronto ranks in the top five at second with 379.
When the Blue Jays hit at least one home run, they are 55-28. When the Athletics hit at least one homer, they have a 33-25 record.
