Toronto will be leaning on starting pitcher Spencer Miles today, who is not yet built up to go more than 5 innings
The Toronto Blue Jays’ stunning loss to the Baltimore Orioles early last night was the type of pivotal moment in an MLB season that could easily push the team in a wrong direction.
Heading into the ninth inning, up 5-1, despite surviving a game to that point which saw starting pitcher Trey Yesavage walk a career-high seven batters, Jeff Hoffman came into mop things up.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had gone 4-for-5 at the plate, bringing his batting average back over .300 again (.305). Guerrero’s offensive game is back on an upward trajectory again. So that was a huge positive.
Watching what happened with Hoffman, after an initial strikeout, was painful: hit by pitch, triple, single, double, walk, walk.
Manager John Schneider brought in Connor Seabold, who walked Adley Rutschman to tie the game, then gave up a single to Pete Alonso. Game over.
The Blue Jays could have hit the .500 mark for the first since they were 4-4 at the start of a season marked by injuries and subpar offence. Yesterday’s loss snapped a four-game winning streak, with the Blue Jays still in a wildcard position this morning.
Schneider later talked about how strung out the relievers have been of late, from overuse, with the team currently playing 17 days in a row without an off day.
Those people dumping all over Hoffman this morning should remember that he’s been solid the past several games. Hoffman hadn’t allowed a run in his last six innings, with 10 strikeouts, and zero walks, and has been fitting in well in that eight-inning role, setting up Louis Varland in the closer spot.
Which brings us to the fourth game of the series, today at noon, with the Blue Jays starting Spencer Miles (2-0, 2.16 ERA). The Orioles are starting Kyle Bradish (2-6, 3.86 ERA).
BEST BETS
Toronto Blue Jays at Baltimore Orioles, today, 12:15 p.m. EST, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland
In baseball betting at Betway, the Orioles are -125 on the Moneyline, the Blue Jays +105. The Runline is Baltimore -1.5 (+150), the Blue Jays +1.5 (-200). Over/Under is 8.5 (O +100, U -120).
Baltimore Orioles Moneyline (-125)
The Orioles stole a wild one at home, and Bradish has been solid lately at home (1-3, 2.86 ERA at home). Miles has great numbers in limited action, but the O’s offence has been heating up.
Taylor Ward has a .256 batting average and has been getting on base a ton. Alonso delivered the walk-off single yesterday and leads the team with 35 RBIs. Gunnar Henderson has been mashing homeruns, with 13, despite a .215 batting average.
The Jays are going to ask a lot of Miles today, who’s not yet built up for five innings, meaning the team will be relying on a fatigued bullpen again today.
Adley Rutschman Total Bases (Hits Only) Over 1.5 (+130)
Rutschman has been seeing the ball well, with a .806 OPS, .255 batting average, with 7 HRs and 28 RBIs.
Gunnar Henderson Anytime Home Run (+400)
Henderson has hit in every game of this series so far, and he’s due for another long ball.
Under 8.5 (-120)
Both teams have struggled to score consistently of late, and the matchup today features strong pitching. Both factors should keep the game low scoring. Orioles win again, but the game goes Under 8.5.
