The Toronto Blue Jays (20-14) and Pittsburgh Pirates (20-14) meet Sunday at PNC Park. First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Blue Jays vs. Pirates odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Blue Jays lead 2-0
The Blue Jays won 8-2 as -133 favorites at the Pirates Saturday. DH Brandon Belt and OF Kevin Kiermaier each drove in 2 runs for the Blue Jays, who have won back-to-back games.
The Pirates closed as +123 underdogs in Saturday’s loss. Pittsburgh has lost 6 straight games and has been outscored 34-8 over that stretch.
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Blue Jays at Pirates projected starters
LHP Yusei Kikuchi vs. RHP Roansy Contreras
Kikuchi (4-0, 4.02 ERA) makes his 7th start. He has a 1.25 WHIP, 1.7 BB/9 and 8.6 K/9 in 31 1/3 innings.
- Last outing: No-decision, 4 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 9 H, 0 BB, 2 K in 7-6 loss at Boston Red Sox Tuesday
- Career vs. Pirates: 0-0, 7.11 ERA (6 1/3 IP, 5 ER), 12 H, 0 HR, 2 BB, 6 K in 1 start and 1 relief appearance
Contreras (3-2, 4.09 ERA) makes his 7th start. He has a 1.42 WHIP, 4.4 BB/9 and 7.4 K/9 in 33 IP.
- Last outing: Loss, 5 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 4 BB, 3 K in 4-1 loss at Tampa Bay Rays Tuesday
- Only career start vs. Blue Jays: No-decision, 1 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 5 K in 4-1 home loss Sept. 3, 2022
Blue Jays at Pirates odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:46 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Blue Jays -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Pirates +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jays -1.5 (+115) | Pirates +1.5 (-140)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Blue Jays at Pirates picks and predictions
Prediction
Pirates 4, Blue Jays 3
Moneyline
BET PIRATES (+115).
Toronto was on a 4-game skid entering this series and Pittsburgh should be able to avoid the sweep. The Pirates are 6-1 in their last 7 games vs. left-handed starters and 12-4 in their last 16 after allowing 5 or more runs. The Blue Jays have not swept a series since beating the Chicago White Sox 8-0 April 26 and should struggle vs. a Pittsburgh team that is a dominant 6-2 in its last 8 at home.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
Pittsburgh +1.5 (-140) should hit, but there is no need to pay the higher price on the run line when the Pirates should win straight up. Bet Pittsburgh moneyline and/or the total instead.
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Over/Under
BET UNDER 9 (-105).
The Under is 9-3-1 in Toronto’s last 13 games after a win and 4-0 in Pittsburgh’s last 4 when its opponent scores 5 or more runs.
These teams tend to play low-scoring games vs. each other, with the Under hitting in 7 of the last 8 meetings, and Sunday’s matchup should be another low-scoring affair with Kikuchi on the mound for Toronto.
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