Pirates vs Blue Jays Expert Picks & Props to Target on May 22

• The Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays open up a 3 game series at Rogers Centre in Toronto
• Bubba Chandler gets the nod for the Pirates and Kevin Gausman pitches for the Blue Jays
• Keep reading for the odds for this interleague clash, plus my favorite bets for Friday

The Pittsburgh Pirates (26-24) travel north to take on the Toronto Blue Jays (23-27) in the opening matchup of their series Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:07 PM ET / 4:07 PM PT at the Rogers Centre. The MLB odds show that Toronto is favored, with the Blue Birds 13-11 at home, and the Bucs 13-11 on the road.

Both clubs enter this contest looking to continue momentum after wins in two straight duels each. Bubba Chandler will square off against Kevin Gausman to begin this three-game set. Continue reading for my breakdown for the battle and my favorite selections to wager on.

Pirates vs Blue Jays Predictions & Best Bets

• Blue Jays Moneyline (-155 at DraftKings)

The Blue Jays send Kevin Gausman to the rubber. He boasts a reliable 3.45 ERA and an impressive 1.05 WHIP over 57.1 innings pitched. Compare that to Bubba Chandler, who has struggled with command to the tune of a 5.14 ERA and a bloated 1.52 WHIP across his 42.0 innings.

Even though Pirates batters hold a slight overall offensive edge with a .726 team OPS versus a .676 mark for the Blue Jays, Gausman’s ability to limit traffic makes the Blue Jays my definitive lean on the moneyline. Gausman is equipped to neutralize opposing bats, and I just don’t trust that Chandler won’t struggle, like he’s done so often on the season.

Starting Pitchers Season Statistics

The underlying metrics highlight a massive command discrepancy between the two starters. While Chandler actually holds a slightly better opponent batting average (.213) than Gausman (.233), the Pirates starter constantly derails his outings with walks. Chandler is issuing free passes at an alarming rate of 6.64 per nine innings. This inability to find the strike zone has resulted in an elevated 5.85 FIP. Over his last 10 appearances, he averages just 4.67 innings per start, routinely taxing the bullpen early.

Conversely, Gausman paints the corners and keeps the basepaths clean. The veteran righty owns a sharp 1.41 BB/9 rate to complement an impressive 8.32 K/9. Gausman’s ability to limit traffic yields a stellar 1.05 WHIP. I’m very confident in believing in the Jays ace.

PIT vs TOR Best Player Prop Bet

• Kevin Gausman Under 5.5 Strikeouts (+120 at bet365)

I am also taking Kevin Gausman Under 5.5 Strikeouts. He misses bats consistently and averages enough innings to rack up six or more punchouts against a lineup that strikes out at a high clip (sixth most in MLB).

However, after two massive starts to begin the season that saw him rack up 21 combined K’s, Gausman has failed to punch out 6+ batters in his last eight outings.

Pirates vs Blue Jays Team Stats Comparison

Take a look at the MLB batter vs pitcher stats for additional information to glean on before wagering on the Pirates vs Blue Jays this evening.

Pirates vs Blue Jays Odds & Public Betting

Odds as of May 22 from Caesars Sportsbook. Click here for a Caesars Sportsbook promo code before betting on Pirates vs Blue Jays.

The Blue Jays enter this interleague matchup as decisive home favorites, priced at -165 on the moneyline. Conversely, the Pirates offer intriguing plus-money value at +140 to win outright.

The MLB public betting splits reveal heavy public confidence in the home side, with 73% of the moneyline tickets thus far backing the chalk, however 54% of the moola points to Pittsburgh.

The total market is entirely one-sided. Currently, 84% of the wagers and 85% of the total financial handle are backing the Over.

How to Watch Pirates vs Blue Jays

TV Network: SportsNet PT & Rogers Sportsnet

Away Team: Pittsburgh Pirates

Home Team: Toronto Blue Jays

Date: May 22, 2026

Game Time: 7:07 PM ET / 4:07 PM PT

Venue: Rogers Centre

Location: Toronto, Ontario

Pirates vs Blue Jays Injury Report

The discrepancy in health between these two clubs is staggering. The Pirates are relatively healthy with only three players sidelined, though missing Joey Bart and Ryan O’Hearn chips away at their offensive depth.

However, the real story lies in the opposite clubhouse. With a heavily compromised roster, the Blue Jays starting rotation has been entirely decimated. The simultaneous absences of Max Scherzer, Shane Bieber, and José Berríos leave them incredibly thin on the mound.