American League East Rivals’ Battle North of the Border

Wednesday’s Major League Baseball calendar is highlighted by an American League East showdown when the Baltimore Orioles travel north of the border to visit the Toronto Blue Jays. The current line has Toronto favored at -180, Baltimore at +155 and the over/under run total on 9.5.

Entering the game, Baltimore on the season is 38-38 overall and 14-24 on the road. The Orioles are 6-4 in their last 10 games played. Toronto on the season is 36-40 overall and 19-18 at home. The Blue Jays are 4-6 in their last 10 games played.

This is the second game of three between the two AL East rivals. Baltimore won the first game of the series on Tuesday 3-1. The Orioles pitching holding the Blue Jays to just 1 run was an extraordinary feat on Tuesday considering the way the pitching staff has pitched of late.

The Orioles pitchers tied a major league record just recently of allowing five or more runs over a period of 20 straight games.

However, they snapped that dubious streak on Saturday against Tampa Bay allowing just 3 runs. On Sunday, they allowed 5 against the Rays, but on Tuesday held the Blue Jays’ hitters to just one run.

Toronto started the season 6-17 but is now just 5 ½ games out of first but remains in the AL East cellar.

Baltimore will send Wade Miley to the mound on Wednesday. Miley is 3-5 with an ERA of 4.48.Toronto will counter with Marcus Stroman. On the season, Stroman is 7-4 with an ERA of 3.69.

Miley has won just 3 games in 15 starts this season. His control has been his downfall, as Miley has walked 42 batters in 75 innings. Opposing hitters are averaging .272 against Wiley this season.

Stroman on the other hand has pitched well this season, but his most recent start was his worst this season. Last week against Texas, Stroman allowed seven hits and an equal number of runs in just four innings.

Baltimore does not play well away from Camden Yards losing 24 of 38 road games this season.

Baltimore is 1-7 in their last 8 games on the road against an opponent with a record below .500.

Toronto is 5-0 in its last 5 games played on Wednesday.

Prediction: The Orioles pitching still has far to go. Lean here with Toronto.