Baltimore Orioles vs. Toronto Blue Jays Betting Preview
Where: Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON
When: Thursday, September 29, 2016, 7:07 PM ET
Line: Baltimore Orioles (+150) at Toronto Blue Jays (-170); total: 9.0 – view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: SNET, MASN
Writer’s Pick: Baltimore Orioles
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Betting on the Baltimore Orioles (+150)
The Baltimore Orioles (86-72) came through in a big way this Wednesday night, winning 3-2 over the Blue Jays to stay one game behind Toronto for the top spot in the AL Wild Card standings.
Hyun Soo Kim provided the heroics for the O’s by launching a two-run, go-ahead homer in the ninth inning. It was Kim’s second-straight game with a two-run blast, and having him provide some timely runs for a supposedly potent Baltimore offense that’s seen a power outage the past couple of games is a blessing.
Mark Trumbo, who notched his MLB-best 46th home run of the season that same game, remains hot as well. Trumbo has seven hits, three home runs and four RBIs in the last five games.
Both Kim and Trumbo need help from the rest of their team’s hitters, though, as a win won’t be given that easily with Ubaldo Jimenez (7-12, 5.71 ERA) set to take the mound this Thursday. Jimenez has a miserable 8.41 ERA in six games played at the Rogers Centre, but does sport a decent 3.67 ERA in nine games since the start of August, including racking up eight strikeouts in each of his past two starts.
It’s also a good thing that the Orioles haven’t cracked under pressure away from home. They’ve won five of their last seven road games to stay right in the thick of the race for a postseason berth.
Betting on the Toronto Blue Jays (-170)
Much like the Orioles, the Toronto Blue Jays (87-71) rely on their big bats to win games. Four of their last five wins had them win by three or more runs, while all three of their most recent losses were decided by two runs or less, including Wednesday’s loss to the O’s. That defeat was also the third time in the last four contests that the Jays blew a ninth-inning lead (two that resulted into losses).
All-Star Edwin Encarnacion’s struggles, in particular, could not have come at a worse time as Toronto is trying to secure its second-consecutive playoff appearance. Encarnacion has failed to drive in any runs lately, going 1-for-10 with not a single run driven in in the last three games.
At least Josh Donaldson is still in good form himself to make up for Encarnacion’s funk. Over the past eight games, Donaldson has 10 hits, three homers and five runs batted-in, as well as drawing seven walks from opposing pitchers.
Toronto’s entire offense must wake up and not let its starting pitcher Marcus Stroman’s (9-9, 4.34 ERA) outing go to waste once more. Stroman has a solid 3.00 ERA and a total of 23 K’s in September, but has failed to log a win in those five starts of the month due to the lack of run support. And with closer Roberto Osuna (two blown saves in last three opportunities) being the culprit for the Blue Jays’ late collapses recently, Stroman needs to pitch a gem in the three-game series finale against the Orioles indeed.
It’s a good thing then that the Jays have gone 6-3 at home versus Baltimore this season, because it certainly appears that the Orioles are playing with more determination to get to the playoffs than the boys north of the border.
Writer’s Prediction
The Orioles (+150) escape with a narrow 4-3 victory.
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