<p>It took the first 14-inning game since 2020, but the Blue Jays finally managed their first walk-off victory of the season Friday. Davis Schneider finally ended the game with a two-run shot to right center field to hand the Jays their eighth win in the last 12 games.</p>
<p></p>
<p>A win for Toronto on Saturday would make it five straight, which would be its longest win streak of the season. It is a heavy -165 favourite to do so, as Yusei Kikuchi (2.64 ERA, 61 IP) will take on Mitch Keller (3.59 ERA, 67 and 2/3 IP)</p>
<p>Let’s dive into the game odds for Saturday&#8217;s matchup between the Pirates and Blue Jays via bet365:</p>
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="330" data-promotion-id="18983" data-context="web-content-promocard"></div>
<h1 class="border-b-accent text-accent mb-5 border-b-2 text-3xl font-bold">Pirates vs. Blue Jays odds</h1>
<div class="mt-2 mb-2">
<div class="mb-5 flex max-w-2xl flex-row overflow-x-auto">
<table class="border-spacing-2 table-auto border-collapse border border-black">
<tbody>
<tr class="">
<td class="border-collapse whitespace-nowrap border border-black p-1" style="width: 202px;">
<div class="w-fit"><strong class="text-lg font-bold">Pirates Moneyline Odds</strong></div>
</td>
<td class="border-collapse whitespace-nowrap border border-black p-1" style="width: 291px;">
<div class="w-fit">+140</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="">
<td class="border-collapse whitespace-nowrap border border-black p-1" style="width: 202px;">
<div class="w-fit"><strong class="text-lg font-bold">Blue Jays Moneyline Odds</strong></div>
</td>
<td class="border-collapse whitespace-nowrap border border-black p-1" style="width: 291px;">
<div class="w-fit">-165</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="">
<td class="border-collapse whitespace-nowrap border border-black p-1" style="width: 202px;">
<div class="w-fit"><strong class="text-lg font-bold">Runline Odds</strong></div>
</td>
<td class="border-collapse whitespace-nowrap border border-black p-1" style="width: 291px;">
<div class="w-fit">Pirates +1.5 (-155), Blue Jays -1.5 (+130)</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="">
<td class="border-collapse whitespace-nowrap border border-black p-1" style="width: 202px;">
<div class="w-fit"><strong class="text-lg font-bold">Over/Under</strong></div>
</td>
<td class="border-collapse whitespace-nowrap border border-black p-1" style="width: 291px;">
<div class="w-fit">Over 8 runs (-105, Under 8 runs (-115)</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="">
<td class="border-collapse whitespace-nowrap border border-black p-1" style="width: 202px;">
<div class="w-fit"><strong class="text-lg font-bold">Time/Date</strong></div>
</td>
<td class="border-collapse whitespace-nowrap border border-black p-1" style="width: 291px;">
<div class="w-fit">June 1, 1:07 p.m. ET</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="">
<td class="border-collapse whitespace-nowrap border border-black p-1" style="width: 202px;">
<div class="w-fit"><strong class="text-lg font-bold">TV</strong></div>
</td>
<td class="border-collapse whitespace-nowrap border border-black p-1" style="width: 291px;">
<div class="w-fit"><strong class="text-lg font-bold">Broadcast:</strong> Sportsnet 1, Sportsnet+</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
<h2>Pittsburgh Pirates</h2>
<p>With Mitch Keller, Paul Skenes, and Jared Jones all on the roster, the Pirates&#8217; starting rotation should be pretty scary in the coming seasons and even the rest of the 2024 campaign.</p>
<p>Keller does look to be a lesser pitcher than his 3.59 ERA suggests, though. He hasn&#8217;t been particularly strong of late. Keller has an xERA of 4.64 and an xFIP of 3.99. He has a Stuff+ rating of 100 and a Pitching+ rating of 99.</p>
<p>Keller&#8217;s ERA of 1.47 over his last three outings is stellar, but his underlying results look highly comparable to the rest of the year. In those three matchups, he&#8217;s been hard-hit 44% of the time, and his K-rate has reduced to 14%.</p>
<p>On pitches in the strike zone opponents own a line-drive rate of 34% this season, which is the second-highest mark among qualified starters.</p>
<p>While Keller may not pose as tall a task as his ERA suggests, the Jays&#8217; will still be keen to get into the soft arms of a struggling Pirates bullpen as quickly as possible. Pirates relievers have struggled to an ERA of 4.68 over the last month of action.</p>
<p>The Pirates&#8217; offence has hit to a wRC+ of 101 versus left-handed pitching this season, with a 13th-best OPS of .704.</p>
<h2>Toronto Blue Jays</h2>
<p>For as painful as things have been for much of this season, there are some highly positive storylines to point to for Toronto entering this matchup. A win would be five straight, and it could potentially move the Jays out of last in the AL East.</p>
<p>For over a season the Jays offense has greatly underachieved expectations, but it is starting to catch it&#8217;s footing, even if part of the reason has been a soft schedule of late. Toronto also faced off against one of the toughest schedules of opposing starters in the first month of the season, so part of this recent upswing is natural.</p>
<p>Over the last two weeks, the Jays have a wRC+ of 122 and an OPS of .768. They also have a league-leading 0.59 BB/K ratio.</p>
<p>The more important note for most Jays&#8217; fans is probably that they have averaged 5.00 runs scored per game over the last 15 matchups.</p>
<p>Their strong recent run production would probably be slightly more emphasized if the bullpen had not offered more blow-ups of late than it did throughout a dominant 2023 season. Toronto&#8217;s relievers own an ERA of 4.77 over the last 30 days, including some high leverage blowups from typically reliable arms.</p>
<p>Kikuchi has allowed an xBA of .260 over his last three starts, with an ugly WHIP of 1.72. His strikeout rate has trended down to 20% in those outings.</p>
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="330" data-promotion-id="18983" data-context="web-content-promocard"></div>
<p><strong>Predictions for Pirates vs Blue Jays</strong></p>
<p>The Blue Jays&#8217; process at the plate continues to look quite solid, and most importantly, that has translated to a quality output of actual runs scored recently. They will present a tough test to Keller, whose level is not as high as his 3.59 ERA suggests and looks like a fade candidate moving forward.</p>
<p>Like Keller, Kikuchi also enters this matchup in a less dominant run of play. He is also getting a quietly tough matchup here versus a Pirates side, which has quietly been better than average against left-handed pitching this season.</p>
<p>Both teams used many quality bullpen arms in Friday&#8217;s lengthy extra-inning matchup. Each side&#8217;s relief pitchers have a bottom-five ERA over the last month of action, too, and each features a number of top arms that have not been at their best of late.</p>
<p>A total of 8 looks a touch low in this matchup, and there is value backing the over at anything better than -115.</p>
<p><strong>Best Bet: Over 8 -105 (Play to -115)</strong></p>

It took the first 14-inning game since 2020, but the Blue Jays finally managed their first walk-off victory of the season Friday. Davis Schneider finally ended the game with a two-run shot to right center field to hand the Jays their eighth win in the last 12 games.



A win for Toronto on Saturday would make it five straight, which would be its longest win streak of the season. It is a heavy -165 favourite to do so, as Yusei Kikuchi (2.64 ERA, 61 IP) will take on Mitch Keller (3.59 ERA, 67 and 2/3 IP)

Let’s dive into the game odds for Saturday's matchup between the Pirates and Blue Jays via bet365:
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="330" data-promotion-id="18983" data-context="web-content-promocard"></div>
<h1 class="border-b-accent text-accent mb-5 border-b-2 text-3xl font-bold">Pirates vs. Blue Jays odds</h1>
<div class="mt-2 mb-2">
<div class="mb-5 flex max-w-2xl flex-row overflow-x-auto">
<table class="border-spacing-2 table-auto border-collapse border border-black">
<tbody>
<tr class="">
<td class="border-collapse whitespace-nowrap border border-black p-1" style="width: 202px;">
<div class="w-fit"><strong class="text-lg font-bold">Pirates Moneyline Odds</strong></div></td>
<td class="border-collapse whitespace-nowrap border border-black p-1" style="width: 291px;">
<div class="w-fit">+140</div></td>
</tr>
<tr class="">
<td class="border-collapse whitespace-nowrap border border-black p-1" style="width: 202px;">
<div class="w-fit"><strong class="text-lg font-bold">Blue Jays Moneyline Odds</strong></div></td>
<td class="border-collapse whitespace-nowrap border border-black p-1" style="width: 291px;">
<div class="w-fit">-165</div></td>
</tr>
<tr class="">
<td class="border-collapse whitespace-nowrap border border-black p-1" style="width: 202px;">
<div class="w-fit"><strong class="text-lg font-bold">Runline Odds</strong></div></td>
<td class="border-collapse whitespace-nowrap border border-black p-1" style="width: 291px;">
<div class="w-fit">Pirates +1.5 (-155), Blue Jays -1.5 (+130)</div></td>
</tr>
<tr class="">
<td class="border-collapse whitespace-nowrap border border-black p-1" style="width: 202px;">
<div class="w-fit"><strong class="text-lg font-bold">Over/Under</strong></div></td>
<td class="border-collapse whitespace-nowrap border border-black p-1" style="width: 291px;">
<div class="w-fit">Over 8 runs (-105, Under 8 runs (-115)</div></td>
</tr>
<tr class="">
<td class="border-collapse whitespace-nowrap border border-black p-1" style="width: 202px;">
<div class="w-fit"><strong class="text-lg font-bold">Time/Date</strong></div></td>
<td class="border-collapse whitespace-nowrap border border-black p-1" style="width: 291px;">
<div class="w-fit">June 1, 1:07 p.m. ET</div></td>
</tr>
<tr class="">
<td class="border-collapse whitespace-nowrap border border-black p-1" style="width: 202px;">
<div class="w-fit"><strong class="text-lg font-bold">TV</strong></div></td>
<td class="border-collapse whitespace-nowrap border border-black p-1" style="width: 291px;">
<div class="w-fit"><strong class="text-lg font-bold">Broadcast:</strong> Sportsnet 1, Sportsnet+</div></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
<h2>Pittsburgh Pirates</h2>
With Mitch Keller, Paul Skenes, and Jared Jones all on the roster, the Pirates' starting rotation should be pretty scary in the coming seasons and even the rest of the 2024 campaign.

Keller does look to be a lesser pitcher than his 3.59 ERA suggests, though. He hasn't been particularly strong of late. Keller has an xERA of 4.64 and an xFIP of 3.99. He has a Stuff+ rating of 100 and a Pitching+ rating of 99.

Keller's ERA of 1.47 over his last three outings is stellar, but his underlying results look highly comparable to the rest of the year. In those three matchups, he's been hard-hit 44% of the time, and his K-rate has reduced to 14%.

On pitches in the strike zone opponents own a line-drive rate of 34% this season, which is the second-highest mark among qualified starters.

While Keller may not pose as tall a task as his ERA suggests, the Jays' will still be keen to get into the soft arms of a struggling Pirates bullpen as quickly as possible. Pirates relievers have struggled to an ERA of 4.68 over the last month of action.

The Pirates' offence has hit to a wRC+ of 101 versus left-handed pitching this season, with a 13th-best OPS of .704.
<h2>Toronto Blue Jays</h2>
For as painful as things have been for much of this season, there are some highly positive storylines to point to for Toronto entering this matchup. A win would be five straight, and it could potentially move the Jays out of last in the AL East.

For over a season the Jays offense has greatly underachieved expectations, but it is starting to catch it's footing, even if part of the reason has been a soft schedule of late. Toronto also faced off against one of the toughest schedules of opposing starters in the first month of the season, so part of this recent upswing is natural.

Over the last two weeks, the Jays have a wRC+ of 122 and an OPS of .768. They also have a league-leading 0.59 BB/K ratio.

The more important note for most Jays' fans is probably that they have averaged 5.00 runs scored per game over the last 15 matchups.

Their strong recent run production would probably be slightly more emphasized if the bullpen had not offered more blow-ups of late than it did throughout a dominant 2023 season. Toronto's relievers own an ERA of 4.77 over the last 30 days, including some high leverage blowups from typically reliable arms.

Kikuchi has allowed an xBA of .260 over his last three starts, with an ugly WHIP of 1.72. His strikeout rate has trended down to 20% in those outings.
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="330" data-promotion-id="18983" data-context="web-content-promocard"></div>
<strong>Predictions for Pirates vs Blue Jays</strong>

The Blue Jays' process at the plate continues to look quite solid, and most importantly, that has translated to a quality output of actual runs scored recently. They will present a tough test to Keller, whose level is not as high as his 3.59 ERA suggests and looks like a fade candidate moving forward.

Like Keller, Kikuchi also enters this matchup in a less dominant run of play. He is also getting a quietly tough matchup here versus a Pirates side, which has quietly been better than average against left-handed pitching this season.

Both teams used many quality bullpen arms in Friday's lengthy extra-inning matchup. Each side's relief pitchers have a bottom-five ERA over the last month of action, too, and each features a number of top arms that have not been at their best of late.

A total of 8 looks a touch low in this matchup, and there is value backing the over at anything better than -115.

<strong>Best Bet: Over 8 -105 (Play to -115)</strong>

MLB Betting Preview (June 1): Pirates vs. Blue Jays predictions

Despite bullpen struggles, the Blue Jays have a bigger problem under the hood

Blue Jays GDB – 37.0: Jays look to avoid the sweep at the hands of the Angels

Throwback Thursday: The Blue Jays acquire Devon White from Angels

Los Angeles Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel (18) celebrates after scoring the winning run on a double by right fielder Jorge Soler (12, not pictured) as Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman (23)walks off the field during the ninth inning at Angel Stadium.

Recent articles from Nicholas Martin

Breaking News