Athletics vs. Blue Jays Pick
Can the Oakland Athletics have a successful road trip to the East when they take on the Toronto Blue Jays tonight at 7:07PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Blue Jays are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -150 to win, while the Athletics are listed with a money line of +140 to prevail. The over/under total for the game has been set at 9.5 runs. These two have met three times this season, with Oakland winning two of the three meetings.
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The pitching matchup today has Francisco Lirano (5-5, 6.15 ERA) on the mound for Toronto to face Chris Smith (0-0, 2.77 ERA) of the Athletics. Liriano hasn’t looked good in his last two starts, going just 3.2 innings combined with seven earned runs allowed. On the year, Liriano has 65 strikeouts with 40 walks and a 1.73 WHIP. Smith has started two games this season and has allowed four earned runs in 13 innings of work. He has three walks with eight strikeouts.
Oakland is coming off a series loss to the Mets. The Athletics have now lost four of their last six games. Oakland is now 44-54 overall and 16-31 on the road. The Athletics average 4.33 runs per game while giving up 5.10 per game. Oakland has been led by its three power hitters. Khris Davis has 28 home runs with 68 RBI while Yonder Alonso has 21 homers and 45 RBI and Ryon Healy has 19 homers and 55 RBI.
Toronto has been in a real funk, losing five of their last six games entering tonight, all of which have been on the road. The Jays are now 44-54 as well while posting a 22-24 record at home. The Jays are putting up 4.09 runs per game this season while allowing 5.01. Toronto is being led Justin Smoak, who has 27 home runs with 64 RBI. Kendrys Morales has added 17 home runs with 53 RBI.
Bet on Athletics vs. Blue Jays
Neither team is playing well right now, so that makes it tough to have much confidence in either pick. I like what Smith has been able to do on the mound so far and he is facing a really poor offense in Toronto. Liriano hasn’t been pitching very deep into games, which puts a lot of pressure on the Toronto bullpen. I think Smith should be able to get a good six innings in and establish a lead for his team. Toronto will struggle when it taps into its pen early, giving the Athletics the road win.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: OAKLAND ATHLETICS +140