Blue Jays vs. Pirates Prediction, Computer Picks, Odds & Pitching Matchup 9/3/2022

Seeking their 72nd win of the year, the Toronto Blue Jays (71-59) are favorites (-166) on the moneyline when they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates (49-82) Saturday at 6:35 PM ET. Toronto’s Trevor Richards and Pittsburgh’s Roansy Contreras have been named the starters for this contest.

Blue Jays vs. Pirates Spread and Betting Line

Computer Predictions for Blue Jays vs. Pirates

We have the Pirates on the moneyline at +142 on the moneyline as our best bet in this game after taking a look at all of the key statistics and trends for this matchup. Our computer picks see the scoring going over the total of 8 runs.

Our computer pick: Pittsburgh Pirates (+142) and Over (8)

Blue Jays vs. Pirates Game Info

• Toronto Blue Jays probable starting pitcher: Trevor Richards
• Pittsburgh Pirates probable starting pitcher: Roansy Contreras
• Game Day: Saturday, September 3, 2022
• Game Time: 6:35 PM ET
• Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Stadium: PNC Park

Toronto Blue Jays vs Pittsburgh Pirates Pitching Matchup

Blue Jays Starter Trevor Richards

• Richards will make his first start of the season for the Blue Jays.
• The 29-year-old righty pitched in relief in his last outing this season, one of 51 appearances so far.
• He has a 4.53 ERA and 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings while opponents are hitting .236 against him over his 51 appearances this season.
• The Pirates have scored 463 total runs this season, making them MLB’s 28th-ranked scoring offense so far this season. As a team they have a .220 batting average while hitting 128 home runs (18th in the league).

Pirates Starter Roansy Contreras

• Contreras (4-4) will take the mound for the Pirates, his 13th start of the season.
• The right-hander did not allow a run in five innings pitched on Sunday in his last outing, a matchup with the Philadelphia Phillies.
• The 22-year-old has pitched to a 3.57 ERA this season with 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings compared to 4.1 walks per nine across 15 games.
• He has two quality starts in 12 chances this season.
• Contreras has four starts in a row of five innings or more.
• The Blue Jays rank eighth in MLB with 604 runs scored this season. They have a .260 batting average this campaign with 159 home runs (ninth in the league).

Blue Jays Betting Picks & Insights

• The Blue Jays have entered the game as favorites 108 times this season and won 60, or 55.6%, of those games.
• This season, Toronto has won 32 of its 53 games, or 60.4%, when favored by at least -166 on the moneyline.
• The Blue Jays have a 62.4% chance to win this game based on the implied probability of the moneyline.
• Games involving Toronto have gone over the total set by sportsbooks in 67 of 129 chances this season.
• The Blue Jays have an ATS record of 55-74-0 in 129 games with a spread this season.

Pirates Betting Picks & Insights

• The Pirates have been victorious in 40, or 35.4%, of the 113 contests they have been chosen as underdogs in this season.
• This year, Pittsburgh has won 22 of 68 games when listed as at least +142 or worse on the moneyline.
• The Pirates have an implied victory probability of 41.3% according to the moneyline set by oddsmakers for this matchup.
• Pittsburgh and their opponents have hit the over in 59 of their 132 games with a total set by oddsmakers this season.
• The Pirates have an against the spread record of 65-67-0 in 132 games with a line this season.

Blue Jays Leaders & Batting Stats

• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. paces the Blue Jays in home runs (27) and runs batted in (80).
• Guerrero’s home runs rank him 15th in MLB, and he is 16th in RBI.
• Guerrero has collected a hit in four games in a row. In his last five games he is batting .333 with a double, a home run, a walk and two RBI.
• George Springer is batting .263 with 17 doubles, three triples, 19 home runs and 42 walks.
• Among all major league hitters, Springer is 45th in homers and 74th in RBI.
• Alejandro Kirk paces the Blue Jays with a team-high batting average of .293.
• Bo Bichette is batting .263 with 33 doubles, 18 home runs and 33 walks.

Pirates Leaders & Batting Stats

• Bryan Reynolds paces the Pirates in home runs (21), runs batted in (48) and has recorded a team-high batting average of .254.
• Reynolds’ home run total puts him 37th in the majors, and he is 114th in RBI.
• Ke’Bryan Hayes has 20 doubles, three triples, six home runs and 40 walks while batting .242.
• Hayes is 233rd in home runs and 191st in RBI among all major league hitters this year.
• Ben Gamel has 18 doubles, two triples, seven home runs and 36 walks while batting .243.
• Michael Chavis is batting .240 with 13 doubles, two triples, 14 home runs and 14 walks.