The Baltimore Orioles (29-16) are on the road to face the Toronto Blue Jays (25-20) at Rogers Centre on Saturday. The Orioles took Friday’s series opener 6-2. Starter Kyle Gibson went seven innings, giving up one run on five hits, to get the win.
Anthony Santander was 1 for 2 with a solo home run and two walks in the win. Ryan Mountcastle added a home run and three RBIs. Brandon Belt went 1 for 2 with a double and one run, walking twice, for the Blue Jays.
ON THE MOUND
Grayson Rodriguez (2-1, 5.08 ERA) is slated to start for Baltimore. The right-hander allowed eight runs over 3.1 innings in his last start, a 9-5 home defeat against the Angels on Monday.
He took the loss, giving up nine hits while striking out three and walking three. For Toronto, RHP Alek Manoah (1-4, 4.83 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Orioles.
Manoah made five appearances against the Orioles in 2022, all starts, striking out 29 and walking 11 over 30.2 innings (2-1, 2.64). In his last start on Monday, Manoah took the loss at home against the Yankees. He threw four innings and gave up five runs on six hits, striking out three and walking seven in the 7-4 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Baltimore has averaged 5.2 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 5.0. Against right-handed pitchers like Manoah this season, the O’s have a .735 OPS. Adley Rutschman is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .895 OPS in 103 at-bats.
Toronto is averaging only 2.8 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.6 for the season, with their slash line slipping across the board (.237/.290/.335).
The Jays have a .731 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .526 SLG over 92 at-bats, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been their best power hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Baltimore is 14-8 on the road in 2023, scoring 5.7 runs per game while allowing 4.7 runs. Toronto has gone 13-7 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 3.3. Baltimore is 6-4 in the last 10 games between the AL East rivals at Rogers Centre with an average scoreline of 5.1-4.3.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Orioles are second in the AL East, three games behind the division-leading Rays. The Blue Jays are fourth in the AL East, seven games behind the Rays.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Toronto Blue Jays (-135)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
