The Toronto Blue Jays (73-52) and Pittsburgh Pirates (52-73) will face off in the MLB tonight. First pitch from PNC Park is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET. The game will broadcast live on SportsNet PT.
Pittsburgh's odds to win outright on the moneyline (-115) are favorable, while Toronto's odds to pull off the upset are listed at -105. The over/under is set at 7 total runs.
Continue below for my Blue Jays vs Pirates predictions and MLB picks for Monday, August 18, as well as probable pitchers, betting trends, injury reports, and more.
Blue Jays vs Pirates Picks, Prediction
- Blue Jays vs Pirates pick: Blue Jays Moneyline (-105)
My Pirates vs. Blue Jays prediction is on Toronto moneyline, with the best price currently available at Fanatics. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Blue Jays vs Pirates Odds for Monday, August 18
| Blue Jays Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +165 | 7 -105o / -115u | -105 |
| Pirates Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -200 | 7 -105o / -115u | -115 |
Blue Jays vs Pirates Projected Starting Pitchers
| RHP Kevin Gausman (TOR) | Stat | Paul Skenes (PIT) |
|---|---|---|
| 8-9 | W-L | 7-9 |
| 2.3 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 4.7 |
| 3.79/3.73 | ERA /xERA | 2.13/2.60 |
| 3.82/3.97 | FIP / xFIP | 2.52/3.10 |
| 1.05 | WHIP | 0.96 |
| 17.1% | K-BB% | 22.4% |
| 33% | GB% | 44.1% |
| 99 | Stuff+ | 107 |
| 103 | Location+ | 111 |
Toronto Blue Jays vs Pittsburgh Pirates MLB Preview
Toronto Blue Jays Betting Preview, Analysis
The Blue Jays have risen to the top of the American League with a big surge offensively.
Over the last month, they have been the best lineup in baseball and have done plenty of damage against right-handed pitching.
In the last four weeks, they have a wRC+ of 140 and an ISO of .216, all while holding a strikeout rate of just 16.7 percent.
This lineup has been locked in like no other and is primed to challenge one of the game's best young right-handers tonight in Paul Skenes.
Skenes has been as advertised this season, entering his 26th start of the season with a 2.13 ERA and 0.96 WHIP.
However, Skenes' strikeout rate is down five percent this season and while still above average, we shouldn't expect many whiffs from this locked-in Blue Jays lineup.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview, Analysis
As for the Pirates, things could not be much worse as they hold the exact inverse record of the Blue Jays at 52-73.
Pittsburgh has struggled to show much consistency at the dish as they are second to last in wRC+ and hold the lowest ISO in the majors against right-handed pitching.
Not only do they not have much pop when putting the ball in play, but making contact has been a struggle as well.
The Pirates have the fourth-highest strikeout rate against righties.
All of this creates a great matchup for Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman.
Surprisingly, Gausman has found success this season by becoming a flyball pitcher, but contact tendencies may not matter much against a lineup that's scuffling as badly as the Pirates are this season.
Blue Jays vs Pirates Betting Predictions
Anytime Paul Skenes takes the mound, it's appointment television. This matchup is intriguing as he faces the hottest lineup in baseball.
However, the dominance of Skenes has created value on the Blue Jays moneyline tonight, as despite the Pirates having the edge on the mound, they should not be underdogs.
We should see the Blue Jays make Skenes work tonight as they are patient and adept at putting the ball in play.
Even if Skenes is able to navigate this Toronto lineup, it won't be easy, and his depth in this outing is a big question mark with the Pirates' bullpen being taxed after heavy usage on Sunday.
While having Skenes on the mound gives the Pirates their best chance in this matchup, it will be a war of attrition, and the Blue Jays are bound to break through, whereas the Pirates' lineup does not offer the same upside.
Blue Jays vs Pirates Pick
- Blue Jays ML (-105)
Blue Jays vs Pirates Betting Trends
For the latest on MLB injuries, be sure to check out our MLB Injury Report page.
