Free MLB Picks Today: Baltimore Orioles vs Toronto Blue Jays 6/15/23

The Baltimore Orioles (42-25) host the Toronto Blue Jays (38-31) at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Thursday with the three-game series in the balance.

The Blue Jays leveled the series 1-1 after winning 3-1 on Wednesday, their first head-to-head victory in five games this season. Starter Jose Berrios threw 7.2 scoreless innings for the win, and Jordan Romano earned his 19th save.

Whit Merrifield was 3 for 4 with a double and one RBI in the win. Ryan O’Hearn went 1 for 4 with one run for the Orioles.

ON THE MOUND

Yusei Kikuchi (6-2, 4.34 ERA) is slated for the start for Toronto. The lefty allowed two runs over five innings in his last start, a 3-2 home defeat against the Twins on Friday. He yielded four hits while striking out four and walking one in the no-decision.

Kikuchi has made one previous start against the Orioles this season, a 6-2 home loss on May 19. He surrendered three runs on three hits over 4.2 innings, striking out three and walking four. For Baltimore, RHP Tyler Wells (5-2, 3.24 ERA) will toe the rubber.

It’s his first appearance of the season against the Blue Jays. Wells made two appearances against the Blue Jays in 2022, both as the starter, striking out four and walking three over eight innings (1-0, 2.25).

In his last start on Friday, Wells got the win at home against the Royals. He threw 6.2 innings and gave up two runs on five hits, striking out four and walking one in the 3-2 triumph.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Toronto has averaged 4.4 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.6. Against righties like Wells this season, the Jays have a .766 OPS.

Brandon Belt is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a .852 OPS in 139 at-bats. Baltimore is averaging 6.4 runs per game in the last five, up from 5.0 for the season, with a better slash line (.316/.370/.552).

The O’s have a .765 OPS against Southpaws in 2023. With a 1.017 OPS over 74 at-bats, Ryan Mountcastle has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Toronto is 19-18 in road games in 2023, scoring 4.9 runs per game while allowing 4.7 runs. Baltimore has gone 21-13 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game while surrendering 4.2.

Toronto is 6-4 in the last 10 games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards between the AL East rivals with an average scoreline of 5.3-4.2.

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.