Toronto Blue Jays vs Pittsburgh Pirates 5/7/23 – On Sunday afternoon, the Toronto Blue Jays will complete their three-game weekend series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuch will face right-handed pitcher Roansy Contreras from Pittsburgh. The Pirates are hoping to bounce back after their loss while the Blue Jays are looking for another win against them. However, the Pittsburgh Pirates will win this matchup as per the MLB betting tips.
Toronto Blue Jays vs Pittsburgh Pirates
Date & Time: Sunday, May 7, 2023 at 1:35 PM ET
Location: PNC Park Pittsburgh, PA
TV: AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh
Toronto Blue Jays vs Pittsburgh Pirates 5/7/23 Betting Odds
Blue Jays
Moneyline: -134
Spread: -1.5 (+117)
Total: 9 over (+100)
Pirates
Moneyline: +124
Spread: +1.5 (-137)
Total: 9 under (-120)
Toronto Blue Jays vs Pittsburgh Pirates Analysis
As a team, the Toronto Blue Jays are currently scoring an average of 4.7 runs per game – placing them 11th overall in Major League Baseball. Their team on-base percentage stands at 0.329 and they have scored 155 runs this year. The Blue Jays have amassed 59 two-baggers as a team and hit 37 balls out of the park so far this season. They have amassed 146 RBI’s and 288 base knocks during this season, for an average at bat of 0.254. Toronto baseball currently holds a slugging rate of 0.408 and have struck out 266 times while drawing walks on 116 occasions. The Blue Jays have converted 68.7% of balls in play into outs out of 2,610 innings on the field, placing them 17th overall in MLB. The Toronto Blue Jays have earned 870 putouts this season, in addition to 261 assists and 18 errors. Their fielding rate currently sits at 0.984, placing them 20th among professional baseball teams, and they have initiated 25 double plays in play. Kikuchi has pitched 497 innings and amassed 480 strikeouts during his career. Kikuchi currently owns an FIP of 5.10 and has faced 2,163 batters across the major leagues. His earned run average is 4.96 and his career WHIP stands at 1.413, having given up 507 base hits while earning 196 walks.
The Pittsburgh Pirates boast a team slugging percentage of 0.428 and average 4.85 runs per matchup. They have hit 69 doubles while taking 126 walks and scoring 160 runs. Pittsburgh has achieved 35 home runs this season and contributed 152 runs batted in. They have also struck out on 268 occasions while recording 276 base knocks overall. The Pittsburgh Pirates boasted an OBP of 0.333 as well as an average batting average of 0.252 during 2017. The Pittsburgh Pirates have already accomplished 25 double plays and boast an outstanding fielding percentage of 0.982, recording 259 assists, 21 errors, and 875 putouts this season. After 2,625 innings played on the field, the Pirates have achieved a defensive efficiency rating of 69.0%. Contreras has so far given up 116 base hits while amassing 117 strikeouts over 131 innings of his career. At present, he has allowed 55 earned runs with a WHIP of 1.31 and FIP of 4.14; K/BB ratio 2.09; 560 batters faced; Contreras holds a 3.78 earned run average, surrendering 8.0 hits per nine innings pitched.
Toronto Blue Jays vs Pittsburgh Pirates Against the Spread
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Toronto’s last 7 games. Toronto are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games. Toronto are 7-0 SU in their last 7 games against Pittsburgh. The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto’s last 6 games on the road. Toronto are 6-0 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh are 0-6 SU in their last 6 games. The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Pittsburgh’s last 8 games against Toronto. The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh’s last 5 games at home. Pittsburgh are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto. Pittsburgh are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games against an opponent in the American League.
Toronto Blue Jays vs Pittsburgh Pirates Free Pick
Kikuchi may have yet to lose this season but his record can be misleading given that his hard-hit ratio stands at almost 50%. He has allowed eight home runs this season, which will not sit well in Pittsburgh’s pitcher-friendly park. Contreras has excelled both at home and on the road this season, turning in two quality starts in three turns at his own track this year. The Pirates have hit 0.278 against left-handed pitchers this season. At home, the Pirates have already hit 12 home runs. MLB betting lines expect that number to increase on Sunday.
Free Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates +124
