ODDS ANALYSIS
The Orioles have put a nice little run together winning 11 of 14 games and that’s after they dropped Thursday’s game to the Phillies. Baltimore has climbed into the thick of the AL East race, which has four teams within 2.5 games of the top spot.
The O’s have battled a bit on the road going just 10-18 away from Camden Yards following Thursday’s loss and were swept by the Jays in Toronto when the teams played there back in late April. The O’s are 3-6 against the Jays this season in the red 3.74 units and overall they are down 6.72 units through 28 road games.
There is no doubt about the Blue Jays’ ability to score runs. They lead the Majors averaging better than five and a half per game and the production comes from everywhere in the lineup so there’s no pitching around one or two guys. That makes them hard to play against. The Jays saw their 11-game win streak end Monday in a 4-3 loss at the Mets but responded by winning the final two of the home-and-home series, extending their winning streak at Rogers Centre to eight straight games. The Jays improved to 22-12 at home by winning 11 of 12 and are in the black 5.87 units entering the weekend. They enjoy facing the O’s with Mark Buehrle on the hill scoring 35 runs in his three starts – all wins – against them this season.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Kevin Gausman (1-0, 4.50 ERA) will come off the disabled list to make his first start of the year after eight relief appearances to begin the season. He’s been on the DL with right shoulder tendinitis since May 7 after tossing a perfect inning against the Mets. Gausman was a key part of the team’s rotation last season going 7-7 with a 3.57 ERA in 20 starts.
Gausman threw 1.1 innings giving up two runs and a hit to the Jays earlier this season and is 1-1 with a 3.78 ERA in 16.2 innings covering seven games, two of which were starts.
Mark Buehrle (7-4, 4.01 ERA) took a no-decision on Monday after giving up two runs – one earned – on four hits and one walk with five strikeouts at the Mets. He’s allowed just three earned runs over his last 30 innings, spanning four starts and dating to May 29 at Minnesota.
Given 35 runs of support in three games against the Orioles this season Buehrle made them stand for three wins. Over his 16-year career, he’s faced the O’s 27 times, making 25 starts, with an 11-10 record and 3.56 ERA.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“The bottom of the order has been good all year. That’s huge for a team. That was a black hole for us last year but they just keep doing it. Pillar and Goins both feel like they belong now. In the past they’ve been up and down [from the minors], now they’re here and they’ve been big contributors.” – Jays’ manager on John Gibbons on the production from Kevin Pillar and Ryan Goins.
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
Baltimore’s recent hot streak has been fueled by several role players who don’t often see plenty of playing time. It’s a manager’s dream to get quality at-bats from role players even when the marquee stars have an off-night. Less heralded Orioles like David Lough, Travis Snider and Chris Parmalee were the ones to step up Wednesday driving in four of the team’s six runs, two of which came off solo homers from Parmalee and Snider. “Guys are going to step up each and every night, and that’s what makes it a great team to play for. You know somebody is going to pick you up if it’s not your night,” Snider said. The importance of the reserves hasn’t been lost on manager Buck Showalter, who said he believes this team is starting to resemble last year’s playoff club.
PROP TALK
You can scroll down the Blue Jays lineup and go with anybody for offensive numbers. Heck, even Justin Smoak is hitting with this team. But it’s hard to overlook what Josh Donaldson is doing in his first year with the club. He leads the team in home runs and RBIs while hitting .307 and has 11 hits with five double, two home runs and nine RBIs in nine games against the Orioles this season. He seems to be a key ingredient in many of the Jays’ offensive outbursts this season.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Blue Jays supported starter Mark Buehrle with four double-digit run games already this season with three of those games in starts he made against the Orioles. It’s not like the veteran lefty lived off the run support, though. He’s thrown well against the O’s in those three wins posting a 3.50 ERA. With Baltimore winning 11 of 14 and the Jays taking 13 of 15 entering the weekend, they’ve made the AL East a four-team race, but the O’s have struggled on the road and Toronto enjoys Canadian-style home cooking.
Toronto 7, Baltimore 4
The MLB lines for this contest will first be released by BookMaker Sportsbook. Gamble on the game between every half inning with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen in the next at-bat or how many runs will be scored in the next inning. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The ballgame pitting the Baltimore Orioles versus the Toronto Blue Jays will commence Saturday, June 20, 2015, at 1:07 p.m. ET at Rogers Centre. You can watch the contest live on the MLB Network.
