Toronto Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles Prediction: Will Orioles Get to Yusei Kikuchi?
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles Prediction: Will Orioles Get to Yusei Kikuchi?
The Baltimore Orioles have surprised the entire MLB with their incredible season so far. The birds sit on top of the AL East. They face a Toronto Blue Jays team who have Yusei Kikuchi on the mound today, but the Orioles have historically hit Kikuchi very well. Can the Orioles keep up their good streak against Kikuchi?
Blue Jays vs. Orioles Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: August 2, 2023
- Time: 7:07 pm ET
- Where to Watch: ESPN+
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles Prediction
Yusei Kikuchi has been a much improved strikeout game as of late, hitting this line in five of his last eight games. Today he goes up against an Orioles side who have been hitting Kikuchi very well in their career. Kikuchi's hits line is (4.5), and Baltimore is very good against left-handed hitting.
Kikuchi has allowed over his hits line in four of his last five games, and Baltimore is ranked in the top 10 in wRC+, on-base percentage, and batting average. They rank top in slugging percentage versus lefties in the last 30 days and top of the MLB in OPS.
On top of everything else on the team side, the Orioles players historically hit Kikuchi very well. Ryan Mountcastle, Jorge Mateo, and Ryan O'Hearn are all batting .500 in their career vs Kikuchi. Anthony Santander is batting .400 in his career versus Kikuchi, and both Adley Rutschman and Ryan McKenna are batting around .300 in their careers versus Kikuchi. Although we are betting on his hits allowed, I also really like the under on Kikuchi's strikeouts today, as the Orioles do not strike out much versus left-handed pitching.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles Pick
The Bet: Yusei Kikuchi Over 4.5 Hits Allowed -130 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick