MLB Baseball
2025-08-19 - Toronto Blue Jays at Pittsburgh Pirates
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : MLB Baseball
Tuesday 19th August 2025 - Scheduled 6:40pm
11:40pm (British Time)
Preview
A 5 game lead at the top of the American League East in mid-August is a very strong position for the Toronto Blue Jays (73-53) to be in, even if the chasing party include the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. They missed out on the post-season in 2024 and have not been beyond the Wild Card Round since 2016, but the Blue Jays are in a good position to not only win the Division, but earn a spot directly in the Divisional Round of the Playoffs.
There is still considerable work to do between now and the end of the regular season and the Blue Jays will be looking to recover in this inter-League series having dropped the opener to the Pittsburgh Pirates (53-73).
It is only the second win in nine games for the struggling Pirates, and they will be looking for much more from Mitch Keller if they are going to win consecutive games.
The starting pitcher has a 5-11 record and 4.13 ERA in twenty-five starts this season and it was perhaps a surprise that Pittsburgh did not look to trade Mitch Keller with an eye on next season. They may have gotten some real interest before the trade deadline, but Mitch Keller remains in Pittsburgh and is looking to recover from some tough recent outings.
He emay have a 1-1 record across his last four starts, but Keller has struggled for consistency and is running an 8.64 ERA in those outings. Mitch Keller was roughed up for six runs in his last start this month and a struggling bullpen is not exactly going to be excited about going out to face this Toronto batting lineup.
The Blue Jays will turn to veteran Max Scherzer who has a 3-2 record and 3.83 ERA in the ten starts he has been able to make in his first season in Toronto. He had some up and down moments in July, but Max Scherzer has shown what he can offer in August by going 2-1 with a 1.89 ERA in three starts made.
The Playoff experience is going to be huge for the Blue Jays as they look for a really big run in October and the hope for Toronto fans is that Scherzer is beginning to heat up.
Toronto have dominated the recent games with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but this is the only series in 2025.
Prediction
Putting aside the disappointment of the opening game in this three game series, the Toronto Blue Jays have the experience on the mound to bounce back.
Mitch Keller has been having some difficulties on the mound in recent games and the Blue Jays could force the Pirates to turn to a struggling bullpen earlier than planned, which will give the road team the edge to level things up before the decider on Wednesday.
The Pick :
Pittsburgh Pirates 3-6 Toronto Blue Jays
