The Toronto Blue Jays (70-59) take one of the most productive lineups in the American League on the road to face the Pittsburgh Pirates (49-81) at PNC Park on Friday for the first of a three-game Interleague series. The Blue Jays are kicking off a 10-game road trip after wrapping up a tough six-game homestand (2-4). They won two out of three in their last series against the Cubs, dropping the finale 7-5 on Wednesday at Rogers Centre. Teoscar Hernandez was 2 for 3 with one run. The Pirates are back home for a nine-game homestand after concluding a tough six-game road trip (2-4). They lost two of three against the Brewers in their last series, dropping the finale 6-1 on Wednesday at American Family Field. Ben Gamel went 1 for 4 with a solo home run. The teams are meeting for the first time since August 13, 2017, when the Blue Jays finished off a 2-1 series win with a 7-1 victory at Rogers Centre.
ON THE MOUND
Alek Manoah (12-7, 2.60 ERA) is in line to start for Toronto. The righty is tied for third in the AL in wins and fourth in ERA. Manoah allowed one run over seven innings in his last start, a 2-0 road defeat against the Angels on Saturday. He took the loss, scattering four hits while striking out eight and walking two. For Pittsburgh, RHP Tyler Beede (1-4, 4.88 ERA) gets the start. In his last start on Saturday, Beede took the loss on the road against the Phillies. He threw three innings and gave up six runs on five hits, striking out five and walking three in the 6-0 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Toronto offense is averaging 4.7 runs per game for the season, second best in the American League, with a slash line of .260/.324/.426. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leads the team in OPS at .852. The first baseman is slashing .283/.350/.502 with 27 home runs, 80 RBIs, and 74 runs over 128 games. Over the last five games, though, Toronto has averaged only 3.6 runs a game while performing worse across the board (.198/.283/.359). Against right-handed pitchers like Beede this season, the Jays have a .751 OPS, third highest in MLB. Guerrero Jr. also is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with ann .866 OPS in 417 at-bats. Pittsburgh is slashing .221/.288/.362 for the season and averaging 3.6 runs per game, third lowest in MLB. Bryan Reynolds leads the team with a .798 OPS. The center fielder has 21 home runs, 48 RBIs, and 58 runs scored with a slash line of .256/.338/.459. The Bucs have a .650 OPS against right-handers in 2022, third lowest in MLB. With a .818 OPS over 293 at-bats, Reynolds also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Toronto is on a three-game winning streak on the road, bringing their record to 32-30 in 2022. The Jays have scored 5.0 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.0 runs. Pittsburgh has lost five in a row at PNC Park. The Bucs are 26-36 at home this season, averaging 3.8 runs per game while surrendering 5.4. In six games at PNC Park between the teams, Pittsburgh is 4-2 despite an average scoreline favoring Toronto (4.8-4.7).
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Blue Jays are third in the AL East, eight games behind the division-leading Yankees. The Pirates are fifth in the NL Central, 26 games behind the Cardinals.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Toronto Blue Jays
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
