Toronto Blue Jays vs Pittsburgh Pirates 5/5/2023 Picks Predictions

tonyspicks.com

05 May 2023

Toronto Blue Jays vs Pittsburgh Pirates 5/5/2023 Picks Predictions Previews

The MLB Interleague three-game series will get underway with a match-up between the AL East Toronto Blue Jays and the NL Central Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Friday evening.

Toronto dropped to 18-14 overall, 9-11 on the road play, and outran by Boston in third place with 8 games behind Tampa Bay in first place in the AL East while posting a +1 run difference for the season.

The Blue Jays struggled after losing five games in a row including a series sweep by the Boston Red Sox early this week.

Last night, Toronto starter Kevin Gausman (2-3) struck out ten batters but gave up seven runs in a 5-11 road loss facing Boston. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his seventh home run for the Blue Jays this season.

The Toronto Blue Jays will be appointing thirty-four-year-old right-hander Chris Bassitt (3-2, 5.18 ERA) to start game 1 of a series versus the Pirates on Friday night.

The righty starter posted a solid 1.24 WHIP with 28 strikeouts but allowed 25 hits, 6 home runs, and 16 free walks in pitching for 33.0 frames this season.

In his last start, Bassitt granted four walks and four runs in 5.0 innings pitched in an 8-10 loss at home against the Seattle Mariners.

The totals went OVER in 5 of Toronto’s last 5 outings while the Blue Jays are 0-5 SU in their last 5 matches played.

The Toronto Blue Jays are 5-0 straight up in their last 5 contests played versus Pittsburgh and the Jays are 1-5 SU in their last 6 road games.

Chat with our Live Handicapper to Know More about the Game.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are on their way back home looking to get back on the right track when hosting the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday evening.

Pittsburgh dropped to 20-12 overall and 9-4 at home play after losing four consecutive games but stayed on top of the NL Central with 1.5 games ahead of Milwaukee in second place while gaining a run difference +37 for the year.

The Pirates enter this inter-league series riding on a four-game losing streak including a series sweep against the Tampa Bay Rays last time out.

On Thursday, Pittsburgh finished eight shutout frames while scoring 2 runs on 4 hits in the final innings in a 2-3 road loss to Tampa Bay.

1B Carlos Santana lifted the Pirates to score with a two-run double but Connor Joe retired to conclude the match.

The Pittsburgh Pirates will give the ball to veteran southpaw Rich Hill (3-2, 4.18 ERA) to start the series opener on Friday night.

The left-handed starter recorded a fine 1.39 WHIP and fanned out 27 hitters while conceding 36 hits, 9 bases on balls, and 7 long balls in 32.1 innings of work.

Lefty Hill delivered victory to Pittsburgh in his last three appearances on the mound while allowing five runs (3 earned runs) in his last 17 plus frames pitched.

The totals went OVER in 6 of the Pirates’ last 9 contests while Pittsburgh is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games played.

The totals went UNDER in 6 of the Pirates’ last 6 contests played versus Toronto while Pittsburgh is 6-1 straight up in its last 7 home matches.

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Pittsburgh Pirates. The MLB Pick for this contest is Pittsburgh +132.

Though SS Oneil Cruz is still recovering from a fractured left ankle and will not be playing until August, the Pirates can still dominate this match-up at home on Friday.

After finishing 31 games played, Toronto ranked 14th in OPS and 11th in runs scored while Pittsburgh ranked 7th in OPS and 8th in runs scored for the season. The prediction: Pittsburgh Pirates will win 6-5.

MLB Free Premium Picks Predictions. Today’s entire Major League Baseball premium pick predictions are free right now at 1-888-711-4311 or text the word WINBIG to 760-670-3130 to receive them. Included are Best Bets, Totals, Parlays and First Five Inning winners for today free of charge.