The Baltimore Orioles host the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday night at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The game starts at 6:35PM ET and is the first of a four-game series. A doubleheader is scheduled for Tuesday, making this a key stretch for both teams in the AL East.
Toronto comes in with a 63-43 record and holds the top spot in the division. Baltimore is 47-58 and sits 15.5 games back. The Blue Jays have gone 8-2 since the All-Star break, while the Orioles are 4-6 over that same stretch. The season series is tied 3-3, with all meetings coming back in March and April.
Toronto had their four-game winning streak snapped on Sunday with a 10-4 road loss at Detroit. Baltimore, on the other hand, picked up two straight wins over the last-place Rockies to snap a long slump. This game will be a big test for an Orioles team looking to turn things around against one of the league’s best.
Orioles Preview – Looking for a Spark Against a Tough Opponent
Baltimore has struggled since the break but showed some life over the weekend. They beat Colorado 5-1 on Sunday to win back-to-back games for the first time since mid-July. They’ve had trouble scoring runs and keeping leads, but Tyler O’Neill’s recent power surge has helped. He has homered in three straight games for the first time since 2021.
Adley Rutschman is expected back after a rehab assignment, which could give the offense a lift. The Orioles average 4.23 runs per game but allow 5.05. Their rotation has a 5.07 ERA, and their bullpen has struggled late in games, giving up over five runs per nine innings and holding a 4.68 ERA.
Zach Eflin will get the start. He is 6-5 with a 5.78 ERA and has given up 13 earned runs over his last three starts. He did beat Toronto earlier this year on March 27, allowing two runs in six innings. But since then, he’s been up and down and will need to be sharp to hold off Toronto’s top bats.
Blue Jays Preview – Starting a Road Trip with Confidence
Toronto is one of the hottest teams in baseball right now. They’ve won eight of their last ten games and hold a 4.09 team ERA. The lineup is scoring 4.73 runs per game while limiting opponents to 4.33. The team is balanced and deep, even with injuries.
Chris Bassitt takes the mound for the Blue Jays. He’s 11-4 with a 3.88 ERA and has been dominant in July, going 4-0 with a 2.39 ERA in four starts. He’s also been effective against Baltimore, allowing one run in six innings during their March 30 meeting. He’s averaged over 5 strikeouts per start over his last five outings.
The Blue Jays bullpen has also been strong. They’ve posted a 3.57 ERA with a 1.12 WHIP. Yariel Rodriguez and Brendon Little have been effective in late innings, while Chad Green and Jeff Hoffman have delivered strikeouts when needed. Toronto has some injuries, including Alejandro Kirk, Andres Gimenez, and several relievers, but they continue to win games with their depth.
Betting Prediction
The Blue Jays are listed as -120 favorites on the road. The Orioles are slight home underdogs at +100. The total is set at 9.5 runs. Toronto has a better record, stronger starting pitcher, and a more reliable bullpen. They’ve also played better overall in the second half.
With Bassitt on the mound and a bullpen that’s been consistent, Toronto is in a good spot to grab the series opener. Baltimore is trending up after wins over Colorado, but this is a big step up in competition. A predicted score of 6-4 leans toward the Blue Jays covering the -1.5 run line at +130 odds.
Pick: Blue Jays -1.5 (+130)
