Tonight sees the Toronto Blue Jays welcome the Pittsburgh Pirates for the start of an interleague series.
The Pittsburgh Pirates lineup is a plus matchup for Jays ace Kevin Gausman, and I expect him to deliver an efficient outing tonight.
Find out more in our Blue Jays vs. Pirates predictions and MLB picks for Friday, May 22.
Pirates vs Blue Jays predictions
Pirates vs Blue Jays best bet: Kevin Gausman Under 2.5 earned runs (-135)
Kevin Gausman is set for another strong performance when he faces the Pittsburgh Pirates. When the Toronto Blue Jays' right-hander is at his best, he’s painting the corners with the fastball and then baffling batters with his nasty splitter.
That’s where the Jays’ ace has the advantage in this matchup, as Pittsburgh has struggled to hit the split-finger fastball this season, sporting a .188 xBA against the pitch, the seventh-worst mark in baseball.
Gausman has gone Under his posted number of 2.5 earned runs in four of his last six starts this season, and he’s pitched well against Pittsburgh in the past, going 4-1 to the Under on this prop in his last five outings against the Pirates.
COVERS INTEL: Kevin Gausman has held opponents to a .186 average against his splitter, producing a 36% whiff rate this season.
Pirates vs Blue Jays same-game parlay (SGP)
I’ll continue to ride the Gausman train and take him to eclipse 17.5 recorded outs. The Jays’ bullpen was taxed heavily yesterday, and they’ll need innings from their ace. Additionally, Gausman has recorded 18+ outs in four of his last six starts.
Meanwhile, Bubba Chandler has struggled to find the zone this season, issuing 17 walks in his last five starts, going Over this posted total in four of those games.
Pirates vs Blue Jays SGP
- Kevin Gausman Under 2.5 earned runs
- Kevin Gausman Over 17.5 outs
- Bubba Chandler Over 2.5 walks
Pirates vs Blue Jays home run pick: Kazuma Okamoto (+320)
Chandler throws a hard four-seamer, ranking in the 96th percentile in velocity.
Kazuma Okamoto seems to match up well with this pitching profile. He owns a .602 xSLG against the four-seam fastball with a 67% hard-hit rate, barreling the ball in 14% of at-bats against the offering. The Jays’ third baseman also has a team-leading five home runs against the four-seamer.
- Best bets: 22-27, -1.55 units
- SGPs: 9-40, -3.4 units
- HR picks: 8-41, +2.65 units
Pirates vs Blue Jays odds
- Moneyline: Pittsburgh +140 | Toronto -160
- Run line: Pittsburgh +1.5 (-150) | Toronto -1.5 (+130)
- Over/Under: Over 8 (-105) | Under 8 (-115)
Pirates vs Blue Jays trend
Toronto has hit the run line in 15 of its last 23 games (+6.35 Units / 20% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Pirates vs. Blue Jays.
How to watch Pirates vs Blue Jays and game info
| Location | Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON |
| Date | Friday, May 22, 2026 |
| First pitch | 7:07 p.m. ET |
| TV | SportsNet Pittsburgh, Sportsnet One |
| Pirates starting pitcher | Bubba Chandler (1-5, 5.14 ERA) |
| Blue Jays starting pitcher | Kevin Gausman (3-3, 3.45 ERA) |
Pirates vs Blue Jays latest injuries
Pirates vs Blue Jays weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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