MLB Predictions: Baltimore Orioles vs. Toronto Blue Jays

The Baltimore Orioles (42-31) and Toronto Blue Jays (35-36) will open up a three-game American League East series Friday night at the Rogers Centre, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:07 p.m. ET

Baltimore Orioles vs. Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays are the hottest team in baseball entering the weekend

Baltimore has won back-to-back games, including a 13-3 blowout victory over the Detroit Tigers as +122 road underdogs Wednesday, while going OVER the betting total of 9. “We are doing a lot of things right,” commented Orioles first baseman Chris Davis. The Orioles are now a season-high 11 games over .500, and are an impressive 22-16 away from Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The club has won four of seven meetings with Toronto thus far during the 2013 campaign. Baltimore is 8-4 on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5, with the OVER going 7-5 in that situation.

Orioles starting pitcher Jason Hammel (7-4, 5.24 ERA) has watched the club drop his last three outings, including a no-decision effort in a 9-5 home loss to the Los Angeles Angels, as he allowed four runs and seven hits over six frames. The right-hander is 6-1 with a 3.97 ERA in eight road outings, with opposing hitters batting .274 against him. In 11 career games (eight starts) versus the Blue Jays, Hammel has compiled a 7-4 record and 5.24 ERA.

Toronto is the hottest team in baseball in winning its last eight games, including a 5-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies as -150 home favorites last time out, while going UNDER the betting total for the sixth time in seven contests. “Everything’s clicking right now,” stated Blue Jays manager John Gibbons. Adam Lind is the player to watch offensively this weekend, as he’s 12 for 24 versus Baltimore this season. Toronto is 7-8 as home favorites of -125 to -150, with the OVER going 11-4 in those 15 opportunities.

Blue Jays starting pitcher R.A. Dickey (6-8, 4.90 ERA) has alternated wins and losses over his last four outings, as he comes off a 6-1 road victory over the Texas Rangers, allowing one run and seven hits over 5.2 innings. The right-hander is 3-4 with a 5.61 ERA in seven home starts, surrendering nine home runs in 43.1 combined frames. In nine career games (six starts) versus the Orioles, Dickey has tallied a losing 2-4 mark and 4.11 ERA, including a 6-5 home defeat on May 25.