The Toronto Blue Jays (55-39) are set to face the Oakland Athletics (39-57) in the second game of a three-game series at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento on Saturday night. The first pitch is scheduled for 10:05 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on MLB Network.
The Blue Jays currently lead the season series 5-0. In Friday’s series opener, they surged to a 7-0 lead but nearly let it slip away, ultimately winning 7-6. Despite the late scare, the Blue Jays showcased their offensive strength with notable contributions from players like Nathan Lukes, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, Alejandro Kirk, and Will Wagner, all of whom had multiple-hit games. For the A’s, Nick Kurtz, Max Muncy, and Tyler Soderstrom all homered, highlighting Oakland’s offensive potential, although they fell short.
The Blue Jays have been in strong form, winning 11 of their last 12 matches, while the Athletics have shown resilience, posting a decent 6-6 record over their last 12 games with every victory coming as underdogs.
Looking ahead to the projected starters, Toronto’s Kevin Gausman (6-6, 4.13 ERA) will take the mound against Oakland’s Jacob Lopez (2-5, 4.26 ERA). Gausman has fared well against the A’s overall, currently holding a career record of 2-3 with a 2.78 ERA against them, while Lopez has struggled significantly in his prior encounters with Toronto.
BetMGM Sportsbook has the Blue Jays favored at -140 on the moneyline, while the A’s sit at +115. The run line is set at Blue Jays -1.5 (+115), and the over/under is projected at 10.5.
Given the teams’ recent performances and the Blue Jays’ dominance in prior matchups, they are expected to secure a win, with predictions leaning towards a final score of Blue Jays 8, A’s 6. The small dimensions of Sutter Health Park could result in another high-scoring affair, making the over an enticing option for bettors.
This matchup presents an exciting opportunity for both teams: the Blue Jays aim to extend their winning streak and capitalize on their current form, while the A’s look to build on their recent positive momentum and continue pushing against their season struggles.