Jesus Sanchez has been quietly heating up this month, and I expect him to continue swinging a hot bat this afternoon.
Read on to see why with my Pirates vs. Blue Jays predictions and MLB picks for Saturday, May 23.
Pirates vs Blue Jays predictions
Pirates vs Blue Jays best bet: Jesus Sanchez Over 0.5 hits (+100)
Jesus Sanchez has been quietly consistent recently, currently sporting a five-game hitting streak, while going Over his 0.5 hits total in nine of his last 10 outings.
Sanchez owns a .333 average against the four-seam fastball and a .294 average against the sinker, the two pitches that Paul Skenes uses the most.
Additionally, Sanchez is just one of three batters in the Toronto Blue Jays lineup to have a hit against Skenes in their career, going 1-for-3 with a double.
COVERS INTEL: Sanchez has a .283 xBA, which ranks him in the 87th percentile in all of baseball. 
Pirates vs Blue Jays same-game parlay (SGP)
Another Blue Jay swinging a hot bat is Daulton Varsho. I’ll take Over 0.5 hits for the Jays outfielder, who has eclipsed this total in eight of his last 10 outings with a .324 batting average in that stretch.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 21st in OPS vs. lefties this year, so Patrick Corbin could get through most of his start unscathed. He'll eventually give way to a Blue Jays bullpen ranked seventh in xFIP this month.
Pirates vs Blue Jays SGP
- Jesus Sanchez Over 0.5 hits
- Daulton Varsho Over 0.5 hits
- Pirates team total Under 4.5
Pirates vs Blue Jays home run pick: Jesus Sanchez (+725)
Lets continue with the Sanchez train and bet a quarter unit on him hitting a home run tonight.
Homering off Skenes isn’t easy, but Sanchez has been a consistent hitter for the Blue Jays and has some pop in his bat, ranking in the 69th percentile in average exit-velocity.
He also owns a 46% hard-hit rate and a .467 xSLG against the four seamer, Skenes’ most used pitch.
- Best bets: 23-27, -0.55 units
- SGPs: 10-40, +0.60 units
- HR picks: 8-42, +2.15 units
Pirates vs Blue Jays odds
- Moneyline: Pittsburgh -155 | Toronto +130
- Run line: Pittsburgh -1.5 | Toronto +1.5
- Over/Under: Over 7.5 | Under 7.5
Pirates vs Blue Jays trend
The Blue Jays have covered the F5 run line in seven of their last eight games (+5.90 Units / 63% 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 | Saturday, May 23, 2026 |
| First pitch | 3:07 p.m. ET |
| TV | Sportsnet, SportsNet Pittsburgh |
| Pirates starting pitcher | Paul Skenes (6-3, 2.62 ERA) |
| Blue Jays starting pitcher | Patrick Corbin (1-1, 4.23 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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