Blue Jays vs Pirates Picks & Odds (Sep. 4)

Published: September 3, 2022 at 10:00 pm EDT

Blue Jays pitcher Ross Stripling throwing a pitch during a game. — Aug 28, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Ross Stripling (48) throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

The Blue Jays are Pirates wrap up a weekend series on Sunday
Toronto is a heavy -210 favorite for the rubber match
Keep reading for the full odds, preview, and predictions

Sunday will mark the end of a three-game set between the Toronto Blue Jays (71-59, 33-30 away) and Pittsburgh Pirates (49-82, 26-37 home), their first meeting since 2017. The first pitch for the finale is set for 12:05 PM ET at PNC Park.

The Jays go with Ross Stripling on the hill here, while the Bucs hand JT Brubaker the ball.

Blue Jays vs Pirates Odds

Team	Moneyline	Runline	Total
Toronto Blue Jays	-210	-1.5 (-120)	Ov 8 (-110)
Pittsburgh Pirates	+180	+1.5 (+100)	Un 8 (-110)

Odds as of September 3rd at DraftKings.

Toronto is a heavy -210 favorite on Sunday but has gone just 33-30 on the road. Their World Series odds sit at +1600 as well.

Blue Jays vs Pirates Probable Pitchers

Stripling is quietly putting together a solid campaign for Toronto. The 32-year-old is 6-4 with a 2.94 ERA in 26 total appearances and 18 starts. He’s showing the ability to not only miss opponents’ bats but also limit the free passes. Stripling has struck out 86 in 101 innings and allowed only 16 walks. The righty always goes out there and pounds the strike zone.

Ross Stripling on the '22 . #BlueJays rollercoaster:

"I think the word that's gonna follow the 2022 Blue Jays for years to come is streaky, right? We've had more highs and lows this year than any team that I've been a part of."

— Mitch Bannon (@MitchBannon) August 28, 2022

That being said, Stripling is coming off one of his rougher outings of the year. He tossed six innings against the Angels, giving up three earned runs and seven hits. The former Dodger was also taken deep twice. He owns a 4.00 ERA vs. Pittsburgh in his career.

Stripling vs Brubaker

Ross Stripling

JT Brubaker

6-4	Record	3-11
2.94	ERA	4.39
101	Innings Pitched	127
86	Strikeouts	132
16	BB	47

Sadly, Brubaker’s 4.43 ERA is one of the best in the Pirates rotation. He’s 3-11 overall in 24 starts and while the right-hander has collected 132 punchouts in 127 innings, he’s walked 47. Brubaker has strikeout stuff but tends to get wild at times.

Brubaker will certainly want to forget his last outing, getting tagged for six earned on nine hits by the defending World Series champion Atlanta Braves. However, he still managed to battle, pitching 6.2 innings. The 28-year-old has never faced Toronto.

Jays Need Momentum

The Blue Jays are of course in the heart of the AL Wild Card race and to be honest, every game is important at this point. They’re 6-4 in their last 10 games and seriously need to finish the series off with a bang on Sunday because Toronto visits the Orioles next, who are right on their tails in the postseason hunt.

https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1565881149796270082

In fact, the Jays’ last month is full of contests that could either make or break them, taking on Baltimore a total of three more times, while also clashing with the Rays twice, the Yankees, and the Red Sox. It’s crunch time.

Nothing Going Right For Pittsburgh

It’s been another disappointing season for the Bucs and it’s hard for them to be any worse. Pittsburgh is 49-82 which is second-last in the National League and has won only two of their previous 10 contests.

What a play by Hayes and Chavis! pic.twitter.com/1oKJ5nutLU

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) September 2, 2022

It also appears there aren’t any victories coming anytime soon. After Toronto leaves town, the Pirates head to the Big Apple to play the New York Mets and then travel to St. Louis to clash with the Cardinals.