May 26, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi (16) pitches during the second inning of the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-USA TODAY Sports
- The Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays continue their series on Saturday
- The MLB odds favor the Jays to win their fifth straight game at Rogers Centre
- Read below for Pirates vs Blue Jays odds, predictions and starting pitchers
The Pittsburgh Pirates (26-31) and Toronto Blue Jays (27-29) meet on Saturday afternoon for the second game of a three-game weekend series at Rogers Centre in Toronto. The Blue Jays took the series opener on Friday night in dramatic fashion, winning 5-3 in 14 innings on a walk-off two-run homer by Davis Schneider.
Oddsmakers in Vegas are siding with a Toronto team that has now won four straight games to improve to 27-29 on the season. The Pirates, meanwhile, are priced as road underdogs after losing five of their last eight affairs to fall to 26-31.
Here are the Pirates vs. Jays odds for Saturday, along with our MLB predictions and best bets.
Pirates vs Jays Odds
| Team | Run Line | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| PIT Pirates | +1.5 (-175) | +135 | Over 8 (-102) |
| TOR Blue Jays | -1.5 (+145) | -165 | Under 8 (-118) |
The Blue Jays are favored on the moneyline at -165, meaning a bettor would need to wager $165 to win $100. The Pirates are underdogs at +135, so a $100 bet would return $135 in profit if Pittsburgh wins.
Toronto is also favored by 1.5 runs on the run line. A bet on the Blue Jays -1.5 at +145 odds would pay out $145 on a $100 wager if they win by 2 or more runs. The Pirates +1.5 (-175) means Pittsburgh must win outright or lose by 1 run for a run line bet on them to cash. At -175 odds, a bettor must risk $176 to win $100.
The total, or over/under, for the game is set at 8 runs. The under is slightly favored at -118 odds, so a bettor would need to risk $118 to win $100 on a wager of eight or fewer total runs being scored. The over is priced at -102, meaning a $102 bet would win $100 if the two teams combine for eight or more runs.
Other prop bets and alternate lines are also available at most sports betting apps. But in terms of the main betting markets, the Blue Jays are solid -165 moneyline favorites, 1.5-run favorites on the run line, and the total is set at 8 runs with the under juiced to -118.
Odds as of May 31, 2024, at DraftKings Sportsbook. Claim the DraftKings Sportsbook promo to bet on Jays vs Pirates. If you already have a DraftKings account, check out top MLB betting apps.
Pirates vs Jays Starting Pitchers
The pitching matchup on Saturday features Mitch Keller (6-3, 3.59 ERA) for the Pirates and Yusei Kikuchi (2-4, 3.25 ERA) for the Blue Jays. Here’s a look at how the two pitchers match up head-to-head:
| Pitching Stat | Mitch Keller (PIT) | Yusei Kikuchi (TOR) |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 6-3 | 2-4 |
| ERA | 3.59 | 3.25 |
| Games Started | 11 | 11 |
| Innings Pitched | 67.2 | 61.0 |
| Strikeouts | 58 | 61 |
| Walks | 22 | 22 |
| WHIP | 1.21 | 1.34 |
| Batting Average Against | .236 | .256 |
Keller has been excellent over his last four starts, allowing just four earned runs total in 27.2 innings (1.30 ERA) with 19 strikeouts. The 27-year-old righty is coming off a stellar outing against the Braves, giving up one run on six hits over 6.2 innings in a win. For the season, Keller has a 3.59 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 58 strikeouts in 67.2 innings.
Kikuchi started the year strong but has struggled of late. The 32-year-old lefty was rocked for five runs on eight hits in just three innings last time out against the Tigers. Over his last three starts, Kikuchi has a 4.91 ERA. On the season, he has a solid 3.25 ERA but concerning peripherals with a 1.34 WHIP and just 61 Ks in 61 innings.
PIT vs Tor Betting Trends
There are some key betting trends to note before locking in your Pirates vs Jays prediction.
- The Pirates are 0-6 in their last six road games vs. a team with a losing record
- The Blue Jays are 4-0 in their last four games overall
- The over is 5-0 in the Pirates’ last five vs. a left-handed starter
The Pirates are dealing with a number of injuries that could impact them in this series. Catcher Joey Bart and pitchers Ryan Borucki, Johan Oviedo and Endy Rodriguez are all on the IL. For the Blue Jays, starting pitchers Alek Manoah and Yari Rodriguez are out.
Pirates vs Blue Jays Prediction
For our Pittsburgh vs Toronto prediction, the Blue Jays are a strong lean as a -165 home favorite. While Keller has been great lately, Kikuchi is due for a bounce-back and Toronto simply has more talent on paper. The Jays’ bullpen edge could also loom large if it’s close late.
Yusei Kikuchi, Nasty 89mph Changeup. 👌 pic.twitter.com/QsY8p65NiU
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 21, 2024
The Pirates are tempting as a +135 underdog given Keller’s form and their success vs LHP. But the Jays have owned Pittsburgh historically, winning seven of the last eight meetings. At home with momentum from an emotional win, Toronto should be able to secure a series victory on Saturday.
With Kikuchi struggling and the Pirates having some success against lefties, the over 8 runs also looks appealing here. The first game of the series was low-scoring until extra innings but these offenses are better than they’ve shown. If either starter falters, it could turn into a high-scoring affair.
PIT vs TOR Picks:
- Blue Jays ML (-165)
- Over 8 Runs (-102)
Brady is the lead NHL and College Football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has over 10 years experience working in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.
The Pittsburgh Pirates will face off against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday, June 1st in what is sure to be an exciting matchup. Both teams have had their ups and downs this season, but they will be looking to come out on top in this game.
The odds for this game are currently in favor of the Toronto Blue Jays, who have been performing well recently. The Blue Jays have a strong lineup and have been hitting the ball well, which could give them an edge in this game. However, the Pirates are not to be underestimated, as they have some talented players on their roster as well.
In terms of starting pitchers, the Pirates will likely send out their ace, Jameson Taillon, to the mound. Taillon has been solid for the Pirates this season, posting a 4-4 record with a 3.67 ERA. He has the ability to shut down opposing hitters and keep his team in the game.
On the other side, the Blue Jays will likely start Marcus Stroman, who has also been pitching well this season. Stroman has a 2-6 record with a 2.81 ERA, and he has the ability to keep hitters off balance with his variety of pitches.
In terms of predictions for this game, it is tough to say who will come out on top. Both teams have the talent to win, and it could come down to which team executes better on the day. The Blue Jays may have a slight edge in this game, but the Pirates are certainly capable of pulling off an upset.
Overall, Saturday’s matchup between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays is sure to be a competitive and entertaining game. Fans of both teams will be eagerly watching to see who comes out on top in this exciting showdown.
