Blue Jays vs. Pirates Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, May 7, 2023

May 7, 2023, by Matt Rooney MLB Predictions

The Pittsburgh Pirates (20-14 look to avoid the sweep when they host the Toronto Blue Jays (20-14) in the final game of a three-game set. Bookmakers have listed the Blue Jays as -130 favorites, while the Pirates are +110 underdogs to pick up a win.

Yusei Kikuchi will get the ball for Toronto while Pittsburgh will counter with Roansy Contreras.

Blue Jays vs. Pirates Odds

Blue Jays odds to win: -130
Pirates odds to win: +110
Spread: Blue Jays -1.5
Total: 8.5 runs

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Game Time and Information

Date: Sunday, May 7, 2023
Time: 1:35 PM ET
TV: SportsNet PT

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Who Will Win Blue Jays vs. Pirates?

Blue Jays and Pirates Betting Trends

The Blue Jays have won 60% of the games this season when they were the moneyline favorite (15-10).

Toronto has a 12-8 record (winning 60% of its games) when it has played as moneyline favorites of -130 or shorter.

This season, the Pirates have won 13 out of the 26 games, or 50%, in which they’ve been the underdog.

Pittsburgh is 10-11 this season when entering a game as the underdog by +110 or more on the moneyline.

The Blue Jays have played in 34 games with over/under set, and have combined with opponents to go over the total 15 times (15-17-2).

The Pirates and their opponents have hit the over in 16 of their 34 games with a total this season.

Blue Jays Stats & Insights

The Blue Jays are the 10th-highest scoring team in baseball, averaging 4.8 runs per game (163 total).

Toronto ranks 14th in MLB play with 37 home runs. They average 1.1 per game.

The Blue Jays’ .258 batting average is ninth-best in the majors.

Toronto strikes out eight times per game to rank seventh in MLB.

The 9.5 strikeouts per nine innings compiled by the Blue Jays pitching staff ranks fifth in MLB.

Toronto’s 4.15 team ERA ranks 13th among all MLB pitching staffs.

Pirates Stats & Insights

The Pirates have scored the 11th-most runs in the league this season with 162 (4.8 per game).

Pittsburgh has hit 36 homers this season, which ranks 17th in the majors.

The Pirates rank 13th in MLB with a .250 team batting average.

Pittsburgh ranks 11th in MLB in strikeouts per game with an average of 8.2 Ks per contest.

The Pirates strike out 8.8 batters per nine innings as a pitching staff, 15th in MLB.

Pittsburgh has pitched to a 3.75 ERA this season, which ranks 10th in baseball.

Blue Jays Key Players to Watch

Kikuchi (4-0) takes the mound for the Blue Jays in his seventh start of the season. He has a 4.02 ERA in 31 1/3 innings pitched, with 30 strikeouts.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leads Toronto with seven home runs this season. He’s batting .318 with 21 RBI.

Bo Bichette leads Toronto in home runs with seven and runs batted in with 22.

Matt Chapman is batting .352 to lead Toronto, while adding five homers and 21 runs batted in this season.

Daulton Varsho has collected 28 hits this season and has an OBP of .317. He’s slugging .380 on the year.

Pirates Key Players to Watch

The Pirates will hand the ball to Contreras (3-2) for his seventh start of the season.

Bryan Reynolds paces the Pirates with 23 runs batted in while accumulating a team-best batting average of .320.

Carlos Santana has 11 doubles, two home runs and 15 walks while hitting .261.

Andrew McCutchen is hitting .238 with five doubles, six home runs and 17 walks.

Ke’Bryan Hayes is batting .234 with eight doubles, two triples, a home run and 10 walks.

Blue Jays and Pirates Injuries

Blue Jays: Zach Pop: 15 Day IL (Hamstring), Adam Cimber: 15 Day IL (Rhomboid), Mitchell White: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Chad Green: 60 Day IL (Undisclosed), Hyun-Jin Ryu: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: day-to-day (Wrist)

Pirates: Vince Velásquez: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Rob Zastryzny: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Chase De Jong: 15 Day IL (Knee), Ji-Man Choi: 60 Day IL (Achilles), Wil Crowe: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Oneil Cruz: 60 Day IL (Ankle), Jarlin García: 60 Day IL (Arm), Max Kranick: 60 Day IL (Elbow), JT Brubaker: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Andrew McCutchen: day-to-day (Ankle)