Toronto Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles: MLB Over/Under Picks
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles
Over/Under: 9
First pitch: 7:35 p.m. ET
Probable pitchers: Hyun Jin Ryu (1-1, 4.05 ERA) vs. Alex Cobb (1-1, 2.75 ERA)
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles Predictions
After a disappointing pair of starts to begin his first Major League tenure outside of Los Angeles, Hyun Jin Ryu is now starting to look like the pitcher the Blue Jays rewarded with a very large contract this past offseason; the one that finished third in the National League Cy Young voting as recent as a year ago.
Well, Ryu seemingly has re-entered that mode if his last two outings are any indication. Logging 11 innings total in those assignments, the 33-year-old southpaw yielded just a single run on three hits while compiling 15 strikeouts. That’s notable because he’s managed to put up a career-best 10.8 K/9 thus far.
With the pressure of a four-year, $80 million deal on his back, Ryu will ensure he does not relinquish the current groove he is in, let alone against an opportune opponent like the lighter-hitting O’s lineup.
Meanwhile, Alex Cobb has interestingly been doing his best impression of Ryu’s 2019 campaign and enjoying his own renaissance. Cobb clearly looks like he’s in a consistent rhythm, having not allowed more than two earned runs in any start.
While some might be scared off from the right-hander’s brutal showing last year, don’t forget that he went down early with season-ending hip surgery. And prior to that, Cobb registered a very respectable 2.56 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in his 11 starts following the 2018 All-Star break. I think he’s still capable of enjoying the success he had for a while as a Tampa Bay Ray.
Cobb also draws a favorable matchup to continue surging. As it is, the Blue Jays are last in the American League in runs scored (74) — and now they’ll be without their best hitter through the first few weeks, Bo Bichette, for possibly a month.
MLB Picks & Leans - August 17
BOS/NYY Over 10
WAS/ATL Over 10
NYM/MIA Over 9
2020 MLB Over/Under Betting Record*: 6-16-2, -12.07 units
Yesterday’s Result: Mariners-Astros Under 9 (WIN)
*Each bet graded as if it were to win 1 unit