Hot-hitting Bryan Reynolds will be looking to extend his 11-game hitting streak as the Pittsburgh Pirates (20-14) host the Toronto Blue Jays (20-14) at PNC Park on Sunday with the visitors eyeing a sweep of the three-game Interleague series.
The Blue Jays lead the series 2-0 after winning 8-2 on Saturday, their seventh straight head-to-head victory. Jose Berrios went 6.1 innings for the win, allowing two runs on five hits and striking out seven.
Brandon Belt was 2 for 3 with two doubles, three runs, and two RBIs in the win. Alejandro Kirk added a double, one run, and one RBI. Jack Suwinski went 1 for 2 with a solo home run and two walks for the Pirates.
ON THE MOUND
Yusei Kikuchi (4-0, 4.02 ERA) is slated for the start for Toronto. The lefty is tied for fourth in the AL in wins. Kikuchi allowed five runs over 4.1 innings in his last start, a 7-6 road defeat against the Red Sox on Tuesday. He gave up nine hits while striking out two in the no-decision.
Kikuchi is making his first appearance against the Pirates this season. Kikuchi made one appearance against the Pirates in 2022, a 4-1 road victory on September 3. He surrendered one run on four hits over 2.1 innings, striking out five and walking one.
For Pittsburgh, righty Roansy Contreras (3-2, 4.09 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Blue Jays. Contreras made one start against the Blue Jays in 2022, throwing six innings in a 4-1 home defeat on September 3.
He gave up four hits and walked two, while striking out five in the no-decision. In his last start on Tuesday, Contreras took the loss on the road against the Rays. He threw 5.1 innings and gave up four runs on six hits, striking out three and walking four in the 4-1 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Toronto has averaged 5.2 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 4.8. Against righties like Contreras this season, the Jays have a .742 OPS. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been the team’s biggest slugger against right-handers with a .552 slugging percentage in 91 at-bats.
Pittsburgh is averaging only 1.2 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.8 for the season, with their slash line slipping across the board (.161/.235/.265). The Bucs have ann .806 OPS against southpaws in 2023, fourth highest in the league. With a 1.280 OPS over 31 at-bats, Connor Joe has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Toronto is 11-11 in away games in 2023, scoring 4.8 runs per game while allowing 5.3 runs. Pittsburgh has gone 9-6 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.2 runs per game while surrendering 4.5. In the last 10 games between the teams at PNC Park, Toronto is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 5.3-3.3.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Blue Jays are fourth in the AL East, seven games behind the division-leading Rays. The Pirates lead the NL Central by one games over the Brewers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Toronto Blue Jays (-135)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
