A couple of AL East foes in the hunt for a wild card berth continue their series in the August 16th Orioles at Blue Jays betting matchup. Baltimore took Monday’s series opener 7-3 as +140 underdogs, their fourth straight win over the Blue Jays which has pushed the head to head mark to 5-2 in favor of the O’s.
Toronto has now dropped 7 of their last 9, falling as -152 favorites on Monday. The Blue Jays hold a 1.5 game lead over Baltimore for the final AL wild card spot, and despite the Orioles’ head-to-head success this season they are +180 underdogs in game two (TOR -215).
Baltimore Offense All or Nothing Lately
The Orioles got a 3-hit night from Ryan McKenna as well as a HR from Ryan Mountcastle to fuel Monday’s 7-3 win. It was a nice offensive bounce back after two straight losses to Tampa Bay in which Baltimore had scored three runs total – including almost getting no-hit by Drew Rasmussen on Sunday. Baltimore picked up a 10-3 win over Tampa Bay on Friday in the series opener.
We will see how Baltimore’s offense performs on Tuesday up against Alek Manoah. It’s the second straight start vs. the Orioles for Manoah, with Baltimore getting a 6-5 win at Camden Yards last Tuesday as +158 underdogs. Mountcastle has 2 HRs in 12 career ABs vs. Manoah but Austin Hays is 0-10 with 5K’s in his career vs. the Toronto starter.
Dean Kremer (4-4, 3.69 ERA) tries to find some consistency as he gets the start in August 16th Orioles at Blue Jays matchup. Kremer pitched into the 7th and didn’t allow a run vs. Pittsburgh on August 5th, but allowed 4+ ER in his other three starts since July 24th.
Blue Jays Slumping at Bad Time
Toronto looked like they were going to put some pressure on the Yankees in the divisional race after a stretch in which they won 9 of 10 last month combined with some struggles by New York. The Blue Jays have started off August 4-8, with three of those defeats coming against these Orioles.
The Toronto offense is slumping a bit, averaging just 1.75 runs/game over their last four. George Springer and Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. had 2-hit nights on Monday and Vlad Guerrero, Jr. hit a HR but the Blue Jays were already down 6-2 by the 4th inning and couldn’t complete the comeback. Guerrero, Jr. has hit .319 with 13 HRs in 28 games vs. the Orioles at home in his career. Gurriel, Jr. and Guerrero, Jr. have hit 4HRs in 8 combined AB vs. Baltimore starter Kremer.
Manoah (12-5, 2.56 ERA) picked up the no decision vs. the Orioles in his last start, and he wants to try and regain the form that saw him allow 2ER or less in 4 of 5 starts prior. Manoah is 6-2 with a 2.48 ERA at home this season.
Free April 16th Orioles at Blue Jays Betting Pick
72% of the public like Toronto to even up the series even though Baltimore has had so much success against the Blue Jays this season. Toronto has no value at -215 with their recent struggles though, so Baltimore is the play.
Free Pick: Orioles +180
