MLB picks: Indians vs. Blue Jays, Pirates vs. Reds

It’s a fascinating Thursday baseball slate, and we’ve highlighted our top two plays for the evening!

Let’s start with a look at the series finale between the Cleveland Indians and the Toronto Blue Jays. Then we’ll preview an NL Central series opener between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds.

Cleveland Indians (52-53) at Toronto Blue Jays (56-49), 7:07 p.m. ET

The Blue Jays should wrap up this four-game set with the Indians on a positive note.

Triston McKenzie gets the nod for Cleveland, and there’s very little inspiration to take away from his 6.75 ERA and 1.56 WHIP on the road this year (33 1/3 innings). He’ll face a Toronto lineup that’s tallied 45 runs over its last seven games.

McKenzie will have to ensure he doesn’t get ambushed by George Springer, who’s hit a leadoff homer in two straight games.

Ross Stripling responds for the Blue Jays, and he’s bounced back in a big way since being chased in the first inning by the Boston Red Sox on July 19. He owns a 2.61 ERA over his last two starts, and faces the Indians’ 19th-rated road offense (4.14 runs per game).

Toronto is a sizable favorite on the moneyline, but the risk appears to be worth it on the runline.

MLB pick: Blue Jays -1.5 runs (-110)

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Pittsburgh Pirates (41-67) at Cincinnati Reds (57-51), 7:10 p.m. ET

Over bettors should flock to the windows for the series opener between the Pirates and the Reds at Great American Ball Park.

Wil Crowe starts for Pittsburgh, and his already-inflated 6.17 ERA through 35 innings on the road is likely to go up after playing in Cincinnati’s hitter-friendly stadium. The Reds’ lineup has been one of baseball’s hottest of late, plating no fewer than five runs in 11 of their last 12 contests.

Crowe will have to pay special attention to Jonathan India, who’s reached base safely in nine straight games while smacking three home runs.

Sonny Gray goes for Cincinnati against an improving Pirates lineup that’s produced a decent 4.33 runs per game over their last six contests. Gray has some poor numbers in prior meetings with both Kevin Newman (4-for-9) and Bryan Reynolds (4-for-8, two home runs), so look for them to drive Pittsburgh’s offense.

These bullpens will likely add gasoline to the fire; the Pirates are 29th by ERA in relief over the last two weeks (6.48), while the Reds are 23rd (5.40).

MLB pick: Over