Pittsburgh Pirates vs Toronto Blue Jays 3/20/2022 Picks Predictions Previews
The Pittsburgh Pirates will go against the Toronto Blue Jays in MLB action in Dunedin Stadium Dunedin, FL, on Sunday, March 20, 2022, at 1:07 PM ET.
The Pirates added two key players to their 2022 lineup via free agency: left-hander José Quintana and catcher Roberto Pérez, both of whom signed one-year contracts.
Quintana fits the profile of a Tyler Anderson-style acquisition, as a seasoned veteran who can educate younger pitchers, maintain his while covering innings, and maybe be used as a Deadline trade component. They also re-signed Yoshi Tsutsugo, who was a free agent for a short time but is now the team’s starting first baseman.
Pérez’s signing was predicated on the Pirates trading catcher and clubhouse captain Jacob Stallings to the Marlins in exchange for three players. The Pirates only made one trade this offseason.
Enyel De Los Santos, a right-handed pitcher who appeared in only seven matches for the Pirates, signed with the Guardians. According to rumors out of Japan, right-hander Cody Ponce, a swingman option in 2021, signed to terms with the Nippon-Ham Fighters.
The Pirates could improve several positions, but only one is a definite need: backup catcher. Michael Perez, the reserve catcher in 2021, will compete for that slot in Spring Training, according to general manager Ben Cherington.
Jamie Ritchie, who was recruited to a Minor League contract, is also involved in the fight. In the meantime, Cherington stated that “we’ll keep looking” for other possibilities.
- The Pirates are 2-3 in their last 5 matches.
- Pittsburgh is 13-21 in their road matches against the spread.
- The totals went OVER in 18 of Pirates’ 34 last matches at home.
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Pittsburgh Pirates vs Toronto Blue Jays Predictions 3/20/2022
To begin the offseason, the Blue Jays made a statement by signing right-hander José Berros to a seven-year, $131 million contract extension. Berros was acquired for prospects Austin Martin and Simeon Woods Richardson before the 2021 Trade Deadline, and he performed to a 3.58 ERA down the stretch. Berros, who is still only 27, will be one of the faces of this rotation for many years.
What about the other side of the rotation? Kevin Gausman signed a five-year, $110 million deal with the Blue Jays in free agency.
Gausman, who spent 6 seasons in Baltimore before stints in Atlanta and San Francisco, where he finally broke out, was long wanted by Toronto. Before the lockout, the Blue Jays also acquired right reliever Yimi Garcia to a two-year, $11 million deal.
The Blue Jays seldom sign multi-year deals for bullpen pitchers, but Garcia offers expertise in high-leverage situations and will play a key part in a club that is far from complete.
- The Toronto Blue Jays are 1-4 in their last 5 matches.
- The Blue Jays are 2-3 in their last 5 matches against the spread.
- The totals went OVER in 17 of Blue Jays’ 29 last matches at home.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Toronto Blue Jays. The MLB pick for this game is the Toronto Blue Jays. Given that they don’t have any albatross contracts and aren’t facing a big logjam at any position, the Blue Jays are in a decent spot.
Randal Grichuk’s five-year, $52 million pact had two years left on it, and he looked like a trade candidate last winter, but he wound up playing in 149 games while George Springer dealt with various ailments.
The Blue Jays might consider making a deal, but they’ll need to make sure they have enough depth-first. The Toronto Blue Jays will win to a predicted score of 6-3.
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Pittsburgh Pirates vs Toronto Blue Jays 3/20/2022 Picks Predictions Previews
MLB Starting Time: 1:07 PM (EDT)
Location: Dunedin Stadium Dunedin, FL
Date: Sunday, March 20, 2022
TV:
MLB Odds: Toronto Blue Jays -2.5
MLB Totals: 8.5