PREMIUM
Rogers' MLB Game of the Day >> SIZZLING 37-15 L52 MLB Sides!
(MLB) Baltimore vs. Toronto,
Money Line: -175.00 Toronto (Home)
Result: Loss
Money Line: -175.00 Toronto (Home)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The 97-71 Toronto Blue Jays and the 86-72 Baltimore Orioles meet Thursday evening at Rogers Centre in the rubber match of the three-game series. Toronto holds the No. 1 wild card spot in the AL with Baltimore one game back in the second spot (Tigers are one back of Baltimore and the Mariners two back). The Blue Jays appeared poised to open a two-game lead over the Orioles on Wednesday with a 2-0 advantage after seven innings but then Toronto's bullpen imploded, as the Orioles earned a 3-2 win.The Blue Jays lost Joaquin Benoit who suffered a torn calf muscle as he ran from the bullpen to participate in the melee with the New York Yankees on Monday. They would have to play deep into October before Benoit, who has been a key performer in the seventh inning, could return. Grilli has been the eighth-inning reliever and has a 9.15 ERA in 11 September outings and closer Osuna has an 8.10 ERA over his past six outings, going 1-1 with two saves and two blown saves.
The pitching matchup: Ubaldo Jimenez (7-12, 5.71 ERA) takes the mound for Baltimore, while Marcus Stroman (9-9, 4.34 ERA) gets the start for Toronto. Jimenez has been in and out of the rotation since the All Star break, going 2-3 with one save and a 3.17 ERA in 11 games, including seven starts (team is 4-3). He's 2-1 with a 2.88 ERA in four September starts (Baltimore is 3-1). Stroman takes the mound looking for his first win since August 14. His ERA is 3.32 in his seven starts since that last win, with Stroman going 0-4 (Blue Jays are 2-5).
The pick: Stroman comes in struggling and is 2-2 with a 6.00 ERA over five career starts against the Orioles (team is 2-3). That includes his 7.88 ERA in three 2016 starts against. However, while Jimenez has pitched better lately (has posted quality starts in four of his last six, this is Toronto's final home game of the season. Toronto ends the season at Fenway (Boston has clinched the AL East title) and a win or loss here may determine where or even if, the Blue Jays will be playing past October 2. Toronto has an 8* play.
The pitching matchup: Ubaldo Jimenez (7-12, 5.71 ERA) takes the mound for Baltimore, while Marcus Stroman (9-9, 4.34 ERA) gets the start for Toronto. Jimenez has been in and out of the rotation since the All Star break, going 2-3 with one save and a 3.17 ERA in 11 games, including seven starts (team is 4-3). He's 2-1 with a 2.88 ERA in four September starts (Baltimore is 3-1). Stroman takes the mound looking for his first win since August 14. His ERA is 3.32 in his seven starts since that last win, with Stroman going 0-4 (Blue Jays are 2-5).
The pick: Stroman comes in struggling and is 2-2 with a 6.00 ERA over five career starts against the Orioles (team is 2-3). That includes his 7.88 ERA in three 2016 starts against. However, while Jimenez has pitched better lately (has posted quality starts in four of his last six, this is Toronto's final home game of the season. Toronto ends the season at Fenway (Boston has clinched the AL East title) and a win or loss here may determine where or even if, the Blue Jays will be playing past October 2. Toronto has an 8* play.
