Free MLB Picks Today: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Toronto Blue Jays 5/5/23

The Pittsburgh Pirates (20-12) host the Toronto Blue Jays (18-14) at PNC Park on Friday for the first of a three-game Interleague series. The Blue Jays are in the midst of a nine-game road trip.

They are coming off a four-game sweep at the hands of the Red Sox, dropping the finale 11-5 on Thursday at Fenway Park for their fifth straight loss. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was 2 for 5 with a home run and a double.

He drove in two runs, stretching his on-base streak to 13 games. The Pirates are playing the first of six games at home after returning from a tough six-game road trip (2-4).

They are coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of the Rays, dropping the finale 3-2 on Thursday at Tropicana Field for their fourth straight loss.

Carlos Santana went 2 for 4 with two doubles and two RBIs.The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the Blue Jays won all three games between the teams.

ON THE MOUND

Chris Bassitt (3-2, 5.18 ERA) is set to get the start for Toronto. The RHP allowed four runs over five innings in his last start, a 10-8 road defeat against the Mariners on Sunday. He gave up two hits while striking out seven and walking four in the no-decision.

Over two starts against the Pirates in 2022, Bassitt was 2-0 with a 0.69 ERA over 13 innings. He had 18 strikeouts and three walks.For Pittsburgh, southpaw Rich Hill (3-2, 4.18 ERA) gets the ball.

In his last start on Saturday, Hill got the win on the road against the Nationals. He threw 6.1 innings and gave up three runs (2 ER) on eight hits, striking out five, in the 6-3 triumph.

AT THE PLATE

The Toronto offense is averaging 4.7 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .255/.329/.406. Matt Chapman leads the team in OPS at 1.049. The shortstop is slashing .351/.435/.614 with five home runs, 21 RBIs, and 18 runs over 31 games.

Against lefties like Hill this season, the Jays have a .728 OPS. Chapman also is the team’s most productive hitter against left-handers with a 1.460 OPS in 28 at-bats. Pittsburgh is slashing .255/.335/.434 for the season and averaging 5.0 runs per game.

Four Pirates hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Connor Joe (.948). The center fielder has four home runs, 11 RBIs, and 18 runs scored with a slash line of .283/.371/.576. The Bucs have a .751 OPS against righties in 2023. With a 1.077 OPS over 83 at-bats, Bryan Reynolds has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Toronto is on a four-game losing streak in road games, bringing their record to 9-11 in 2023. The Jays have scored 4.7 runs per game away from home, while allowing 5.7 runs.

Pittsburgh has gone 9-4 at PNC Park this season, averaging 4.7 runs per game while surrendering 4.3. In nine meetings at PNC Park, Toronto is 5-4 with an average scoreline of 4.6-3.6.