Free MLB Picks Today: Toronto Blue Jays vs Oakland Athletics 6/25/23

Hot-hitting Bo Bichette will be looking to extend his 10-game hitting streak as the Toronto Blue Jays (42-36) host the Oakland Athletics (20-59) at Rogers Centre on Sunday with the three-game series knotted at 1-1.

The Blue Jays evened the series 1-1 after winning 7-3 on Saturday. Starter Jose Berrios went six innings to get the win, allowing three runs (2 ER) on six hits and striking out eight, and Jordan Romano threw 0.1 scoreless innings to pick up his 23rd save.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went 2 for 3 with a home run and three RBIs in the win. Seth Brown was 1 for 4 with a solo home run for the Athletics.

ON THE MOUND

Luis Medina (1-6, 7.01 ERA) is set to get the start for Oakland. The right-hander allowed one run in 4.1 innings of relief in his last appearance, a 3-2 road defeat against the Guardians on Tuesday. He yielded four hits while striking out four and walking one.

Lefty Yusei Kikuchi (6-2, 3.97 ERA) gets the ball for Toronto. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Athletics. Kikuchi made one start against the Athletics in 2022, throwing 2.1 innings in a 5-3 road defeat on July 5.

He gave up two hits and walked five in the loss. In his last start on Tuesday, Kikuchi took a no-decision on the road against the Marlins. He threw six scoreless innings and gave up two hits, striking out six, in the 2-0 win.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Oakland has averaged 3.4 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 3.5. Against lefties like Kikuchi this season, the A’s have a .684 OPS, the fifth lowest in MLB.

Brent Rooker is the team’s most potent producer against left-handers with a .951 OPS in 62 at-bats. Toronto is averaging only 3.8 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.5 for the season.

The Jays have a .752 OPS against righties in 2023. With a .834 OPS over 147 at-bats, Brandon Belt has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Oakland is 11-30 in road games in 2023, scoring 4.0 runs per game while allowing 6.6 runs. Toronto has gone 20-14 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 3.8.

In the last 10 games between the teams at Rogers Centre, Toronto is 8-2 with an average scoreline of 6.5-4.2.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Athletics are fifth in the AL West, 28 games behind the division-leading Rangers. The Blue Jays are fourth in the AL East, 11 games behind the Rays.