The Toronto Blue Jays (25-19) host the Baltimore Orioles (28-16) at Rogers Centre on Friday for the opener of a three-game series. The Orioles are playing their first of six games on the road after closing out a 10-game homestand (6-4).
They split their last series against the Angels, dropping the finale 6-5 on Thursday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Adley Rutschman was 1 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs. Austin Hays went 3 for 4 with a double and two runs.
The Blue Jays are kicking off the final series of their 10-game homestand. They lost three of four against the Yankees in their last series, dropping the finale 4-2 on Thursday at Rogers Centre. Bo Bichette went 3 for 4 with a solo home run.
The teams are meeting for the first time this season. The Blue Jays won the 2022 season series between the AL East rivals (10-9), including two out of three in their most recent meeting at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in October.
ON THE MOUND
Kyle Gibson (4-3, 4.67 ERA) is set to get the start for Baltimore. The RHP allowed four runs over five innings in his last start, a 4-0 home defeat against the Pirates on Sunday. He took the loss, giving up seven hits while striking out five and walking three.
Gibson made one start against the Blue Jays in 2022, an 18-11 home loss for the Phillies on September 20. He surrendered seven runs on 12 hits over five innings, striking out three and walking one. For Toronto, LHP Yusei Kikuchi (5-0, 3.89 ERA) takes the mound.
Kikuchi made six appearances against the Orioles in 2022, including three starts, striking out 18 and walking 10 over 16.2 innings (2-3, 8.10).
In his last start on Sunday, Kikuchi took a no-decision at home against the Braves. He threw four innings and gave up five runs (4 ER) on nine hits, striking out seven, in the 6-5 victory. The LHP is tied for third in the AL in wins.
AT THE PLATE
The Baltimore offense is averaging 5.0 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .253/.330/.424. Four Orioles hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Rutschman (.869). The catcher is slashing .285/.407/.462 with seven home runs, 24 RBIs, and 22 runs over 44 games.
Against southpaws like Kikuchi this season, the O’s have an .803 OPS, fifth highest in MLB. Anthony Santander is the team’s strongest performer against left-handers with a .998 OPS in 44 at-bats.
Toronto is slashing .256/.328/.407 for the season and averaging 4.6 runs per game. Matt Chapman leads the team with a .909 OPS.
The third baseman has five home runs, 22 RBIs, and 22 runs scored with a slash line of .311/.393/.516. Toronto is averaging only 3.6 runs per game in the last five with their slash line dropping across the board (.256/.309/.361).
The Jays have a .734 OPS against righties in 2023. With a .898 OPS over 129 at-bats, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Baltimore is 13-8 on the road in 2023, scoring 5.7 runs per game while allowing 4.8 runs. Toronto has gone 13-6 at their home park this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 3.2.
In the last 10 games at Rogers Centre between the teams, each club has won five, though Toronto has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 5.2-4.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Orioles are second in the AL East, three games behind the division-leading Rays. The Blue Jays are third in the AL East, six games behind the Rays.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Toronto Blue Jays (-160)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
