The American League East is on display Thursday afternoon as the second-place Baltimore Orioles face off against Yusei Kikuchi and the Toronto Blue Jays. It's time to continue our MLB odds series with an Orioles-Blue Jays prediction and pick.
Orioles-Blue Jays Projected Starters
Kyle Bradish vs. Yusei Kikuchi
Kyle Bradish (1-0) with a 3.18 ERA and 1.31 WHIP
Last Start: Last time out, Bradish went just 2.2 innings against the Tampa Bay Rays. He gave up seven hits and three walks while striking out six. Still, he gave up five runs but took the no-decision.
2024 Road Splits: Bradish has been solid away from Camden Yards. He is 1-0 with a 1.06 ERA in three starts. Further, opponents are hitting just .138 against him away from home.
Yusei Kikuchi (2-5) with a 3.66 ERA and 1.25 WHIP
Last Start: Last time out Kikuchi went 5.1 innings, giving up six runs, five earned. He gave up nine hits and a walk to the Pirates while striking out four and taking the loss.
2024 Home Splits: Kikuchi has struggled at home this year. He is 1-4 in six starts with a 3.62 ERA. Opponents are hitting .245 against him at home.
Here are the MLB Odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
MLB Odds: Orioles-Blue Jays Odds
Baltimore Orioles: -1.5 (+146)
Moneyline: +100
Toronto Blue Jays: +1.5 (-178)
Moneyline: -118
Over: 8.5 (-105)
Under: 8.5 (-115)
How to Watch Orioles vs. Blue Jays
Time: 1:07 PM ET/ 10:07 AM PT
Article Continues BelowTV: MASN/Sportsnet
Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)
Why The Orioles Will Cover The Spread/Win
The Oriole's offense is tied for fourth in the majors in runs scored, while sitting ninth in batting average, 18th in on-base percentage, and first in slugging. Gunnar Henderson has led the way this season. He is hitting .268 with a .369 on-base percentage. Henderson has eight doubles, four triples, and 19 home runs this year. This has led to 42 RBIs and 47 runs scored in the year. Joining Henderson in having a solid year is Jordan Westburg. He is hitting .285 with nine home runs this year. Westburg has 36 RBIs and 30 runs scored. Rounding out the top bats on the season is Adley Rutshma. He is hitting .305 on the year, leading the team in hitting. He also has ten home runs and 40 RBIs. Further, he has scored 32 times.
Ryan Mountcastle has been amazing in the last week of play. In his last six games, he is hitting .346 with four home runs. This has led to him driving in nine runs in the last six games while scoring five times. Gunnar Henderson has continued his great year in the last week. He has two home runs and five RIBs while getting one base at a .483 rate. Meanwhile, Anthony Santander also has two home runs and five RBIs in his last six games, scoring six times. He is also getting on base at a .400 rate.
The Orioles have found success in the past against Yusei Kikuchi. As a team, the current Orioles are hitting .280 with a .349 on-base percentage against Kikuchi. They have ten home runs and 24 RBIS. Ryan Mountcastle has 17 at-bats against Kikuchi, hitting .471 with four home runs and eight RBIs. Adley Rutschman is hitting a lifetime .400 against Kikuchi with two home runs and four RBIs.
Why The Blue Jays Will Cover The Spread/Win
The Blue Jay's offense is tied for 25th in the majors in runs scored, while sitting 22nd in batting average, 15th in on-base percentage, and 23rd in slugging. Dalton Varsho has led them on the season. He is hitting just .212 but with ten doubles, ten home runs, and 31 RBIs. Varsho has also scored 33 times. Meanwhile, Isiah Kiner-Falefa is having a solid year. He is hitting .263 this year with six doubles, and four home runs. This has led to 17 RBIs and 18 runs scored. Rounding out the top bats on the year is Valdimir Guerrero Jr. He is hitting .296 on the year, with six home runs and ten doubles. This has led to 27 RBIs and 27 runs scored.
It has been a struggle for the Blue Jays on offense over the last week, but many role players are stepping up. One of them is Daniel Vogelbach, the Designated Hitter. He is hitting .313 in his last five games. Vogelbach has led the team with four RBIs in the last week but has yet to score a run. Scoring in the last week has come from George Springer. He is hitting .286 in the last week, playing in six games, and hitting .286 while getting on base at a .400 rate. He has a double and a home run, scoring five times to lead the team in the last week.
Current members of the Blue Jays have hit well against Kyle Bradish. They are hitting .289 lifetime against him, with five home runs and 16 RBIs. Bo Bichette has been great against Bradish. He is hitting.412 lifetime against him with two home runs and five RBIs. Valdimir Guerrero Jr. has also found success. He is hitting .316 with a home run and three RBIs in 19 at-bats. George Springer has also found success, with eight hits in 19 at-bats against Bradish. six of the hits have gone for extra bases.
Final Orioles-Blue Jays Prediction & Pick
This game will come down to if Yusei Kikuchi can pitch well at home against the Orioles. His track record this year, and lifetime against the Orioles does not favor that. Expect the Orioles to get up early and take the win in this one.
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Final Orioles-Blue Jays Prediction & Pick: Orioles ML (+100)