Free MLB Picks Today: Baltimore Orioles vs Toronto Blue Jays 6/13/23

The Baltimore Orioles (41-24), one of the highest-scoring offenses in the AL, are set to host the Toronto Blue Jays (37-30) at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Tuesday for the first of a three-game series.

The Blue Jays are kicking off a nine-game road trip after closing out a seven-game homestand (4-3). They won only one out of three in their last series against the Twins, taking the finale 7-6 on Sunday at Rogers Centre.

Cavan Biggio was 2 for 4 with a home run, two runs, and three RBIs. The Orioles are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Royals, taking the finale 11-3 on Sunday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards for their fourth straight win. Ryan O’Hearn went 3 for 3 with a home run and four runs. Ramon Urias went 4 for 5 with two doubles, two runs, and two RBIs.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Orioles have won all three games this season between the AL East rivals, including an 8-3 victory in 11 innings in their most recent meeting on May 21 at Rogers Centre. Mike Baumann got the win with 1.2 scoreless innings of relief.

ON THE MOUND

Chris Bassitt (7-4, 3.29 ERA) is set to get the start for Toronto. The right-hander is tied for fifth in the AL in wins. Bassitt allowed two runs over eight innings in his last start, a 3-2 road win over the Astros on Wednesday.

He earned the win, yielding four hits while striking out five. Right-hander Dean Kremer (6-3, 4.89 ERA) gets the ball for Baltimore. He has made one prior start against the Blue Jays this season, giving up one run over 5.1 innings in an 8-3 road win on May 21.

He gave up nine hits and walked two while striking out seven in the no-decision. In his last start on Wednesday, Kremer took the loss on the road against the Brewers. He threw five innings and gave up six runs on nine hits, striking out five, in the 10-2 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

The Toronto offense is averaging 4.6 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .263/.333/.421. Bo Bichette leads the team in OPS at .858. The shortstop is slashing .317/.349/.509 with 14 home runs, 43 RBIs, and 37 runs over 67 games.

Against righties like Kremer this season, the Jays have a .765 OPS, fifth highest in the league. Brandon Belt is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .852 OPS in 139 at-bats.

Baltimore is slashing .251/.322/.422 for the season and averaging 5.0 runs per game, third-best in the American League. Five Orioles hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Cedric Mullins (.835).

The center fielder has eight home runs, 39 RBIs, and 26 runs scored with a slash line of .263/.356/.479. The O’s have a .735 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .881 OPS over 137 at-bats, Gunnar Henderson has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Toronto is on a four-game winning streak on the road, bringing their record to 18-17 in 2023. The Jays have scored 5.0 runs per game away from home while allowing 4.6 runs. Baltimore has won three in a row at home.

The O’s are 20-12 at home this season, averaging 4.5 runs per game while surrendering 4.2. Toronto is 6-4 in the last 10 games between the teams at Oriole Park at Camden Yards with an average scoreline of 7.0-4.4.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Blue Jays are fourth in the AL East, 10 games behind the division-leading Rays. The Orioles are second in the AL East, five games behind the Rays.