Athletics vs Blue Jays Prediction, Pick and Preview, September 3 (9/3): MLB

Credit: photo by Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports

Odds

Key stats

Preview

The Athletics continue their road trip and travel to Toronto to take on the Blue Jays.  After some close games in their 3 game series against Detroit the Athletics currently sit in the 2nd spot in the AL West 4.5 games back to the Astros, while sitting 2 games back for the 2nd wild card spot.  Toronto enters this game looking for that same second wild card spot, they sit 5 games back. Both these teams need to pick up some wins if they hope to make the playoffs so look for them to play some good smart baseball in this series.

Pitching matchup

Athletics

Sean Manaea (8-9, 3.97 ERA) will be on the bump today to take on the Bue Jays.  He enters this game with a 1.25 WHIP and a 3.84 XFIP.  Manaea has a 25.2% strikeout rate followed up by a 5.9% walk rate this season.  Manaea has struggled mightily in his last 5 starts, in that span he has thrown 20 innings, striking out 19 while allowing 8 HR's and a total of 22 ER's .  Right handed bats have hit him EXTREMELY hard in that span, something this Blue Jays team has plenty of.  He will try to right the ship tonight in Toronto.

Blue Jays

Alek Manoah (5-2, 3.15 ERA) will be on the mound today when they take on the Athletics.  The young right hander enters this game with a 1.06 WHIP and 4.05 XFIP.  Manoah has a 26.8% strike out rate, accompanied by an 8.9% walk rate. The young righty picked up where he left off when he came back from injury and has posted 3 quality starts in his last 4 games.  He has been able to keep opponents offenses power department in check in most games and doesn't give up a ton of premium contact.  He will look to pick up his 6th win of the season tonight at home.   

Prediction

In a battle for a wildcard spot both these teams need to win these games.  Manaea comes into this game in terrible form while Manoah has looked sharp.  I'll continue to attack Manaea in this one as something seems to be off with him lately.  

PICK: Blue Jays ML (-150)

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