Oakland Athletics vs Toronto Blue Jays 6/23/2023 Picks, Analysis and Previews
On June 23, 2023, at 7:07 PM ET, the Oakland Athletics will play the Toronto Blue Jays in MLB action at Rogers Centre in Canada. Oakland began Thursday with a seven-game losing streak after dropping the middle game of their series with Cleveland on Wednesday night. The A’s had a 19-57 record going into play on Thursday, finishing last in the AL West and 28 games down of the Rangers in first place in the division. Esteury Ruiz had three hits for Oakland in the game on Wednesday (one run, two RBI), and Tony Kemp also had two singles (two runs), but Oakland lost. Ryan Noda hit a home run for the A’s in a losing effort; it was his seventh. Paul Blackburn threw five innings, failing to impact the result while allowing four runs on nine hits, one walk, and seven strikeouts. Relief pitcher Austin Pruitt (1-5) took the loss after working one inning and allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits without a walk or a strikeout.
James Kaprielian of the A’s is in the circle for his 11th start and 14th appearance of the year. He had a 2-6 record, a 6.38 ERA, a 1.636 WHIP, 30 walks, and 49 strikeouts in 55 innings thrown heading into the game. Kaprielian was not considered for his most recent start, which occurred on Saturday at home against the Phillies. He pitched 5.1 innings, allowing one run on five hits, no walks, and six strikeouts as the A’s suffered a 3-2 extra-innings loss. Kaprielian had no say in the decision for his lone career start against the Blue Jays, which took place at home on July 6, 2022. He pitched six innings in a game the A’s ultimately lost 2-1, allowing just one run on five hits, four walks, and one strikeout. Kaprielian will pitch at Rogers Center for the first time in his 58th career start and 66th big league contest.
- The total stayed UNDER in six of Oakland’s last seven games.
- The Oakland Athletics are 0-8 SU in their last eight matches.
- The Athletics are 5-14 SU in their last 19 matches against Toronto.
Oakland Athletics vs Toronto Blue Jays 6/23/2023 Picks, Analysis and Previews
After dropping the first four games of their interleague series, Toronto beat the Marlins on Wednesday afternoon in South Beach. With a season record of 41-35, the Blue Jays were fourth in the AL East on Thursday, 10.5 games behind the Rays leading the division. On Wednesday, Toronto banged out 11 hits, with Cavan Biggio, Matt Chapman, and George Springer all collecting two hits apiece. The Blue Jays won thanks to Chapman’s ninth home run of the season. After throwing six innings and allowing three runs on eight hits, one walk, and six strikeouts, Kevin Gausman (7-3) was awarded the win. Jordan Romano threw a spotless ninth inning for his 22nd save of the season, allowing just one hit, one walk, and two strikeouts.
In this contest, Chris Bassitt will make his 16th start of the season as a pitcher for the Blue Jays. This season, he pitched 88.2 innings, compiling a 7-5 record, 4.16 ERA, 1.195 WHIP, 30 walks, and 77 strikeouts. Bassitt had no influence on the choice in his most recent start, which took place on the road against the Rangers on a Saturday afternoon. In 3.2 innings of work for the Blue Jays, he allowed five runs (three earned) on seven hits, three walks, and two strikeouts in losing the game 11-7. Bassitt is 1-1 in his previous three starts with a 7.98 ERA, 1.77 WHIP, four walks, and 12 strikeouts in 14.2 innings pitched. In this game, Bassitt makes his third career start against the A’s. He is 1-1 with a 1.93 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, three walks, and seven strikeouts in 14 innings of work.
- The total stayed UNDER in six of Toronto’s last seven matches against Oakland.
- The total remained UNDER in six of Toronto’s last nine matches at home.
- The Toronto Blue Jays are 8-1 SU in their last nine matches at home against Oakland.
Oakland Athletics vs. Toronto Blue Jays The MLB pick for this game is the Toronto Blue Jays.
Oakland struggled to win games because they didn’t play a complete game. They enjoyed a seven-game winning streak from June 6 to June 13, but they looked to be on the verge of an eighth straight defeat on Thursday in Cleveland. The A’s still remain among the worst teams in the majors, despite Kaprielian’s pitching recently improving after a dreadful start to the season. Bassitt played against powerful lineups even though he had some previous struggles. He won’t face one of those in this contest. As a result, Toronto gets the upper hand in this series opener, and Thursday is off so their bullpen arms can recuperate. It’s expected that the Toronto Blue Jays will triumph 7-3.
MLB Starting Time: 7:07 PM ET
Location: Rogers Centre, CAN
Date: Friday, June 23, 2023
TV: YES
MLB Odds: Oakland Athletics +253
MLB Totals: 9
