MLB betting preview (Aug. 19): Blue Jays vs. Pirates predictions

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer (4) dives in safe at home in the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.

Photo credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Aug 19, 2025, 13:00 EDTUpdated: Aug 19, 2025, 10:51 EDT

The Toronto Blue Jays will try to avoid a third straight loss when they continue their interleague series with the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on Tuesday night.

Pittsburgh claimed the series opener, 5-2, on Monday night behind a strong start from ace Paul Skenes, who threw six innings of two-run ball while striking out eight Blue Jays batters. The win snapped a two-game slide for the Pirates, who are just 3-7 in their last 10 games.

Let’s take a look at the game odds for Tuesday’s clash between the Blue Jays and Pirates courtesy of bet365.

Blue Jays vs. Pirates odds

Blue Jays moneyline odds	-150
Pirates moneyline odds	+125
Runline odds	Blue Jays -1.5 (+115), Pirates +1.5 (-135)
Game total	Over 8 runs (-120), Under 8 (+100)
Date/time	Aug. 19, 6:40 p.m. ET

About the Blue Jays (73-53 SU, 74-52 ATS, 68-53-5 o/u)

The Blue Jays knew they’d be in tough against Skenes, the frontrunner for the National League Cy Young Award, on Monday night, but they may have lost much more than just a single baseball game, as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. left the game with a hamstring injury. He was removed in the fifth inning with what the Blue Jays called “tightness” after the game, but he did undergo an MRI. Those test results still haven’t been revealed as of Tuesday morning, so the extent of the injury is unknown.

The hulking first baseman leads the team with a .298 batting average, 21 home runs, and a .396 on-base percentage, and any extended absence would be a huge blow to Toronto’s ability to score runs consistently.

About the Pirates (53-73 SU, 67-59 ATS, 49-69-8 o/u)

The Pirates have really struggled to put runs up on the board this season, but they did manage to stack five on just six hits against Kevin Gausman and the Blue Jays on Monday night. Former Blue Jay Spencer Horwitz accounted for two of those hits, and he also scored a run.

Pittsburgh also did a good job on the basepaths, stealing four bags on the night.

Entering play Monday, no team had scored fewer runs (3.5 per game) than the Pirates this season. They also had the worst slugging percentage (.346) and OPS (.649) in the majors.

Probable starting pitchers

Toronto: RHP Max Scherzer (3-2, 3.83 ERA, 8.67 K/9)

Scherzer has really found his stride this month, allowing just four earned runs over 19 innings (1.89 ERA) while striking out 13 batters. He’s coming off a great start against the Chicago Cubs, who managed just one run on five hits over seven innings against the future Hall of Famer. His fastball, which averages just 94 mph now at the age of 41, still ranks in the 88th percentile in fastball run value thanks to its significant rising effect.

Pittsburgh: RHP Mitch Keller (5-11, 4.13 ERA, 7.12 K/9)

Keller was one of the top names rumoured to be on the block leading up to the July 31 trade deadline, but the Pirates elected to keep him. However, he’s struggled mightily since the deadline, allowing 13 earned runs over his last 14 2/3 innings pitched while allowing 21 hits. He was hammered by the Milwaukee Brewers for six runs over four innings the last time he took the ball.

Notable injuries

Outfielder Anthony Santander (shoulder), pitcher Yimi Garcia (elbow), pitcher Alek Manoah (elbow), pitcher Bowden Francis (shoulder), and pitcher Shane Bieber (elbow) are on the injured list for Toronto. As previously mentioned, we’re still waiting for word on the extent of Guerrero Jr.’s injury.

Pitcher Jared Jones (elbow) and Cruz (concussion) are the big names on the injured list for the Pirates.

Weather

Forecasts are calling for temperatures around 27 C and clear skies. Winds will blow in from right field at 8 mph.

Blue Jays vs. Pirates betting trends

The Pirates are 38-26 on the runline at home this season.
Toronto is 9-2 in the past 11 meetings between these teams.
Toronto is 24-13 in interleague play this season.
The Pirates have the second-best under record (49-69-8 o/u) in the majors.

Blue Jays vs. Pirates player prop trends

Keller has recorded four or more strikeouts in 14 of his last 20 starts and at a 68% rate overall this season. He’s -130 to notch over 3.5 strikeouts.
Scherzer has recorded over 17.5 outs in four straight starts and is -135 to reach that milestone on Tuesday.
George Springer has recorded a run in 12 straight games and is -120 to extend that streak.
Jared Triolo has stolen a base in three of his last four games and is +550 to swipe a bag against the Blue Jays. He’s stolen eight bases on nine attempts this season.

Blue Jays vs. Pirates best bet

George Springer over 0.5 runs: -110 for one unit (best odds @ DraftKings). Springer has been recently been hitting out of the leadoff spot in the lineup and owns a ridiculous .464 on-base percentage over the last 30 days. As previously mentioned, he’s beaten this line in 12 straight contests and 14 of his last 20, giving further value to this player prop at close to even money odds.