Orioles vs Blue Jays Picks and Odds – Aug. 28

• The Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays wrap up a four-game set on Friday, Aug. 28, with first pitch set for 6:37 pm ET
• Last week, the Blue Jays swept the Orioles, 3-0, outscoring them 20-11
• For the odds, analysis and a pick for the game, check out the article below

Separated by only a game and a half in the standings, the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays embark on a three-game series on Friday, with first pitch of the opener set for 6:37 pm ET at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York.

With both teams presumably rested after not playing on Thursday, here’s a look at the Orioles vs. Blue Jays odds for Aug. 28.

Baltimore Orioles vs Toronto Blue Jays Odds

Odds taken Aug. 28

About Last Night

In light of Sunday’s shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, several MLB teams have postponed recent games in order to shed light on systemic racism and police brutality.

On Wednesday, the Blue Jays and Red Sox postponed their game — as did the Orioles and Rays.

After continued reflection and further dialogue, Orioles players have decided to not play tonight’s game against the Rays as they join athletes around the country in expressing solidarity with victims of social injustice and systemic racism.

— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) August 27, 2020

pic.twitter.com/5DjdcZjssF

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 27, 2020

This shouldn’t have much impact on Friday’s matchup. If anything, it slightly advantages the Orioles to not have played on Thursday before traveling north from Tampa Bay to Buffalo. But even then, it shouldn’t really be a factor.

Blue Jays Career Stats vs Means

Means Struggling So Far

If you reference the table above, you’ll notice the current Blue Jays’ consortium of batters has compiled a grand total of one hit against Orioles starter John Means (1-for-11, .091).

It’s easy to understand why that is, given that Means — last year’s AL Rookie of the Year runner-up — has only one career start against Toronto. It came last summer, with Means allowing just four hits and one run in a five-inning winning effort.

The John Means changeup command: still not good pic.twitter.com/22OnOjE5mx

— Locked On Orioles (@LockedOnOrioles) August 21, 2020

Recent results have been less kind to Means, who is 0-2 with a disastrous 10.13 ERA in four starts in 2020. In that span, he has failed to even once escape the fifth inning, averaging only 2 2/3 innings per outing.

Yes, his only start against Toronto was an awfully good one. But Means’ glaring output so far this season tells a more meaningful tale.

Orioles Career Stats vs Ryu

Season History

As division rivals, the Blue Jays and Orioles play several times per year. They’ve only had one series so far this season, but it went quite well for Toronto.

It was last week, and the Blue Jays won 7-2, 8-7 (10 innings), 5-2. With that sweep, the Blue Jays now hold a 28-13 lead in the head-to-head series since 2018.

Most importantly, Hyun-Jin Ryu started for Toronto in the 5-2 win. During that game, he went six innings, allowing only four hits and a run en route to earning the win. It was only his second career start against Baltimore (and first since 2013), but the recency makes it worth the note.

Hyun-jin Ryu, Filthy 80mph Changeup (release/slow). 👌 pic.twitter.com/MI0SYqdNc2

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 22, 2020

Count on Ryu to keep rocking and the Blue Jays to solve Means for the first time.

Pick: Toronto Blue Jays (-220)