Pittsburgh Pirates vs Toronto Blue Jays Picks and Predictions August 20th 2025

Pittsburgh Pirates vs Toronto Blue Jays August 20th 2025

The Toronto Blue Jays take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The Blue Jays, led by manager John Schneider, hold a 74-53 record and sit first in the AL East. They are coming off a win and have gone 6-4 in their last 10 games.

The Pirates, under manager Don Kelly, have a 53-74 record and are fifth in the NL Central. They have lost their last game and have a 2-8 record in their last 10 games. Chris Bassitt will pitch for the Blue Jays, while Johan Oviedo will start for the Pirates. The game is set for Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at 12:35 PM, with overcast skies expected.

Blue Jays vs Pirates Key Information

• Sport: Baseball
• Teams: Toronto Blue Jays vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
• Venue: PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA
• Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2025
• Betting Odds: Blue Jays Moneyline -151, Pirates Moneyline +125

The Blue Jays Can Win If…

The Toronto Blue Jays enter this game with momentum after a 7-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Max Scherzer pitched six strong innings, allowing only one run. Alejandro Kirk and George Springer each hit a home run, contributing to the team’s ten hits overall.

The Blue Jays have the top batting average and on-base percentage in the league. They rank fifth in slugging percentage, showing they can hit for power. With 228 doubles, they are second in the league, which helps them score runs consistently.

Chris Bassitt will start for the Blue Jays, bringing an 11-6 record and a 4.22 ERA. He faces Johan Oviedo, who has struggled with an 18.00 ERA. The Blue Jays’ lineup, featuring Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, looks to capitalize on this matchup.

The Pirates Can Win If…

The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to bounce back after a 7-3 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. In that game, Bryan Reynolds and Joey Bart each had two hits, showing they can get on base. Mitch Keller struggled on the mound, but the Pirates have Johan Oviedo starting next, who will aim to improve from his previous outings.

The Pirates have some strong stats that suggest they can win. Their team ranks 10th in batting average against, holding opponents to a .240 average. They also have a solid number of quality starts, ranking 11th, which means their starting pitchers often give them a good chance to win.

Key players like Andrew McCutchen and Bryan Reynolds are crucial for the Pirates. McCutchen leads the team with 11 home runs and 41 RBIs, while Reynolds has a .244 average and 13 home runs. Their ability to produce runs and get on base will be vital in their next game against the Blue Jays.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Toronto Blue Jays

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays will play a decisive game on Wednesday afternoon to determine the winner of their three-game series. The Pirates will give the ball to right-hander Johan Oviedo, who is making just his second start of the season after a lengthy return from Tommy John surgery and a lat injury. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays, who hold a five-game lead in the American League East with a record of 74−53, regained their offensive form with a 7-3 victory on Tuesday and are looking to win the series. The Pirates, currently in last place in their division with a record of 53−74, will need a big performance from Oviedo. You can find all the latest standings and statistics in the MLB scores and odds section.

Pitching Matchup

The pitching matchup features two right-handers with different stories: Johan Oviedo (0−0, 18.00 ERA) for the Pirates and Chris Bassitt (11−6, 4.22 ERA) for the Blue Jays.

Johan Oviedo’s return to the majors has been a long and difficult road. His first start on August 4 was brief, lasting only one inning, and he struggled with command. After being optioned back to Triple-A to get more work, he is now getting another opportunity. Pirates manager Don Kelly has praised his competitive spirit. Oviedo, who has a career record of 13−25, will need to show improved control to be successful against the Blue Jays’ lineup.

Chris Bassitt will be on the mound for the Blue Jays. He is having a solid season but has shown a significant difference in his performance at home versus on the road. At home, he holds an impressive 8−0 record with a 2.73 ERA, but on the road, he is a different pitcher, with a 3−6 record and a 6.39 ERA. This will be a crucial start for him as the team is reportedly getting ready to activate Shane Bieber. Bassitt, however, has had success in his career against the Pirates, with a perfect 4−0 record and a 2.10 ERA in five starts.

Team Form and Key Players

The Pittsburgh Pirates have lost eight of their last ten games. Their offense has been inconsistent, and they will need to rally behind their returning pitcher to avoid a series loss. They are also playing without their star player, Oneil Cruz, who was placed on the 7-day injured list with a concussion on August 13.

The Toronto Blue Jays are coming off a strong offensive performance. Alejandro Kirk and George Springer both homered in Tuesday’s game. While star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is unlikely to play due to left hamstring inflammation, the team’s depth has been able to pick up the slack. The Blue Jays’ offense will look to capitalize on Oviedo’s rust and road struggles from Bassitt to take the series.

Prediction

The matchup between Oviedo’s rust and Bassitt’s road struggles makes this game difficult to predict. However, the Blue Jays’ offense has shown it can be powerful, even without Guerrero, and they are playing a Pirates team that is struggling to find its footing. Bassitt’s stellar career record against Pittsburgh also gives Toronto a clear psychological edge. We predict the Blue Jays’ offensive firepower and the Pirates’ overall struggles will be too much for Oviedo to overcome. For more detailed analysis and insights, please refer to our MLB expert betting guide.

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The Lean

The Blue Jays are favored with a moneyline of -151 against the Pirates, who sit at +125. The Blue Jays have the best batting average and on-base percentage in the league, which gives them an edge. My model projects the Blue Jays to win with a score of 5-3.

The total for the game is set at 8.0, with the over at -118 and the under at -103. The Blue Jays’ strong hitting and the Pirates’ pitching struggles suggest a higher-scoring game. My model projects a total of 8 runs, so taking the over is recommended.