MLB picks: Blue Jays vs. Orioles, A's vs. Astros

Let’s have a look at the best bets on the diamond for Wednesday night!

First up is our preview of a meeting between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Baltimore Orioles. Then we’ll discuss the showdown between the Oakland A’s and the Houston Astros.

Toronto Blue Jays (43-40) at Baltimore Orioles (28-57), 7:05 p.m. ET

Runs have proven easy to come by when the Blue Jays have faced the Orioles this season. Including Tuesday night’s 7-5 Baltimore victory, the clubs have averaged a total of 10.38 runs per game in their first eight meetings of 2021. The Under appears to be in peril once again.

Hyun Jin Ryu was tagged for four runs by this Baltimore squad on June 26, and he followed that up with a lackluster four innings against the Seattle Mariners on July 1, allowing another four earned runs. Ryu will have to be wary of recently-anointed All-Star Cedric Mullins, who could make it three straight games with a home run.

Matt Harvey has the call for the Orioles, and neither his 7.34 ERA on the season nor his 6.30 ERA in two starts against Toronto inspire confidence. George Springer – slowly rounding back into form for the Blue Jays – is 5-for-10 lifetime against Harvey with three dingers, so look for him to make his impression felt.

Neither bullpen has been particularly strong over the past two weeks; the Blue Jays’ relief corps is 12th by ERA in that span (3.92), while the Orioles’ is 25th (4.80).

MLB pick: Over

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Oakland A’s (49-38) at Houston Astros (53-33), 8:10 p.m. ET

The A’s are being sent off at an appealing price against the Astros as they send June’s AL Pitcher of the Month – Sean Manaea – to the bump at Minute Maid Park.

Manaea produced a 1.13 ERA and 0.969 OPS in five outings last month. His mediocre July 1 effort against the Texas Rangers (four runs allowed over five frames) would seem to be a fluke.

Manaea has already faced Houston three times in 2021, recording a quality start on two occasions. Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, and Michael Brantley are just 18-for-85 (.212) combined all-time against the Indiana native with only two total extra-base hits.

Luis Garcia responds for the ‘Stros, and he sports an elevated 4.22 ERA and 1.453 WHIP over his last four starts. Don’t be surprised if recent Home Run Derby invitee Matt Olson leads the A’s offense, as he owns a .951 OPS in road games this season.

MLB pick: A’s +140