Series Preview: Toronto Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles 5/13-5/15

The Toronto Blue Jays will take on the Baltimore Orioles for three games. The Blue Jays are coming off a series loss to the Twins while the Orioles are coming off a series win over the Diamondbacks.

Toronto Blue Jays (18-22) vs. Baltimore Orioles (26-13)

Game 1:

Date: Monday, May 13
Time: 6:35 pm EST
Broadcast: Sportsnet

Game 2:

Date: Tuesday, May 14
Time: 6:35 pm EST
Broadcast: Sportsnet

Game 3:

Date: Wednesday, May 15
Time: 12:35 pm EST
Broadcast: Sportsnet

Probable Starting Pitchers

Game 1: Jose Berrios (4-3, 2.85 ERA) vs. Corbin Burnes (3-2, 2.83 ERA)

Berrios gets this series started for the Blue Jays, he is 4-3 with a 2.85 ERA, a 4.47 FIP, a 1.12 WHIP, and 38 strikeouts in 47.1 innings. In his last start, he faced the Phillies and he had his worst start of the year going 3.2 innings and giving up eight runs on seven hits; he walked two and struck out seven. In his career against the Orioles, he is 10-1 with a 2.98 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP, and 76 strikeouts in 90.2 innings. Burnes goes for the Orioles in what should be a pitchers’ duel. He is 3-2 with a 2.83 ERA, a 3.58 FIP, a 0.96 WHIP, and 47 strikeouts in 47.2 innings. In his last start, he faced the Nationals going 6.1 innings giving up three runs on five hits; he walked three and struck out six. Burnes has faced the Blue Jays once in his career getting the win going 7.2 innings giving up three runs on five hits; he walked two and struck out nine.

Game 2: Chris Bassitt (3-5, 5.06 ERA) vs. Kyle Bradish (0-0, 1.86 ERA)

Bassitt is making his ninth start he is 3-5 with a 5.06 ERA, a 4.66 FIP, a 1.54 WHIP, and 40 strikeouts in 42.2 innings. In his last start, he faced the Phillies going 6.1 innings giving up two runs on three hits; he walked two and struck out six. In his career against the Orioles, he is 3-2 with a 4.79 ERA, a 1.34 WHIP, and 39 strikeouts in 35.2 innings. Bradish goes for Baltimore, he does not have a decision through two starts, he has a 1.86 ERA, a 2.12 FIP, a 1.24 WHIP, and 14 strikeouts in 9.2 innings. In his last start, he faced the Nationals going five innings giving up one run on four hits; he walked two and struck out nine. In his career against Toronto, he is 1-3 with a 5.25 ERA, a 1.41 WHIP, and 26 strikeouts in 36 innings.

Game 3: Yusei Kikuchi (2-3, 2.64 ERA) vs. Cole Irvin (4-1, 2.90 ERA)

Kikuchi gets the finale, he is 2-3 with a 2.64 ERA, a 2.61 FIP, a 1.04 WHIP, and 46 strikeouts in 47.2 innings. In his last start he faced the Twins going eight innings giving up two runs on four hits; he didn’t issue a walk and struck out three. In his career against Baltimore, he is 4-5 with a 5.44 ERA, a 1.50 WHIP, and 47 strikeouts in 49.2 innings Irvin goes for Baltimore he is making his eighth start, he is 4-1 with a 2.90 ERA, a 3.41 FIP, a 1.06 WHIP, and 28 strikeouts in 40.1 innings. In his last start he faced the Diamondbacks going 5.2 innings giving up two runs on five hits; he walked one and struck out six. In his career against Toronto he is 2-1 with a 3.92 ERA, a 0.87 WHIP, and 17 strikeouts in 20.2 innings.

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles Leaders

Blue Jays:

AVG – Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – .273
HR – Daulton Varsho – 6
RBI – Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 19
IP – Yusei Kikuchi – 47.2
ERA – Yusei Kikuchi – 2.64
K – Yusei Kikuchi – 46

Orioles:

AVG – Adley Rutschman – .304
HR – Gunnar Henderson – 12
RBI – Gunnar Henderson – 27
IP – Corbin Burnes – 47.2
ERA – Corbin Burnes – 2.83
K – Dean Kremer – 47

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles Numbers

Blue Jays

AVG: .234 (21)
OPS: .681 (19)
R: 146 (27)
HR: 34 (1)
ERA: 4.66 (26)
K: 309 (25)
WHIP: 1.38 (26)

Orioles

AVG: .249 (8)                       
OPS: .753 (4)
R: 196 (6)
HR: 59 (23)
ERA: 3.27 (5)
K: 336 (17)
WHIP: 1.10 (3)

Wrap Up

This is going to be a very difficult series for Toronto. The Orioles are proving right now they are among the best teams in baseball. The Blue Jays are in danger of falling out of things and could have an uphill climb. The Orioles likely take two of the three games based on the pitching matchups but don’t be surprised if it’s an Orioles sweep.