Venue: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
First Pitch: 6:40 PM ET
Broadcast: ESPN, Sportsnet, ATTP
Match Overview
The AL East-leading Blue Jays begin a three-game interleague series against the struggling Pirates, who sit last in the NL Central. Toronto is surging offensively, while Pittsburgh leans on ace Paul Skenes to halt a 1–7 skid.
Pitching Matchup
| Team | Starter | Record | ERA | WHIP | K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Jays | Kevin Gausman | 8-9 | 3.79 | 1.05 | 138 |
| Pirates | Paul Skenes | 7-9 | 2.13 | 0.96 | 166 |
- Gausman has allowed 2 runs or fewer in 4 of his last 5 starts and pitched 7 strong innings vs. the Cubs last week.
- Skenes, despite Cy Young buzz, has allowed 12 runs in 13 innings over his last 3 starts and faces Toronto for the first time.
Team Trends & Stats
| Category | Blue Jays | Pirates |
|---|---|---|
| Last 10 Games | 6-4 | 3-7 |
| Batting Avg | .287 | .224 |
| Team ERA | 4.30 | 5.82 |
| Home/Road Record | 31-31 (road) | 34-29 (home) |
| SLG Last 10 | .562 | .361 |
- Toronto has scored 24 runs in its last 3 games and leads MLB in team batting average (.269).
- Pittsburgh ranks bottom-5 in runs per game (3.5) and home runs (88).
Players to Watch
- Blue Jays:
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: 30 doubles, 21 HR, 51 XBH
- Daulton Varsho: 13-for-34, 5 HR, 14 RBI in last 10 games
- Pirates:
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa: .267 AVG, 17 doubles
- Nick Gonzales: 13 hits in last 10 games
Game Odds
Toronto Blue Jays 7
Pittsburgh Pirates – 112
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Sunday, August 17, 2025
