Game Details:
Matchup: Blue Jays vs Pirates
Date & Time: Sunday, August 24, 2025 | 6:35 PM ET
Venue: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Betting Line: Blue Jays -1.5 | Over/Under: 8.5
Key Storylines
Blue Jays Pushing for Playoff Spot
Toronto enters tonight’s matchup in the thick of the AL Wild Card race, with every game carrying significant playoff implications. After a late-summer surge, the Jays are hoping to capitalize against a Pirates team that’s largely out of contention. Toronto’s bats have started to warm up behind the likes of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, while Kevin Gausman is expected to take the mound for what could be his final few starts of the regular season.
Pirates Playing Spoiler
Pittsburgh might be out of playoff contention, but they’ve played some inspired baseball recently, winning four of their last six games. Rookie sensation Paul Skenes continues to show flashes of brilliance and could be drawing the start tonight as the Pirates aim to make life difficult for playoff hopefuls. With top prospects like Termarr Johnson getting more at-bats, Pittsburgh is building for the future while feeding off the underdog energy.
Pitching Matchup Worth Watching
If projected starters Gausman vs. Skenes holds, fans could be in for a classic veteran vs. rookie duel. Gausman has been a strikeout machine, boasting a 3.28 ERA and 195 Ks so far this season. Meanwhile, Skenes, despite his inexperience, has handled MLB lineups well and owns a respectable 3.81 ERA in his rookie year.
Injury Report
Blue Jays:
Out: Jordan Romano (back), Danny Jansen (thumb)
Day-to-Day: Cavan Biggio (hamstring)
Pirates:
Out: Oneil Cruz (ankle), Ke’Bryan Hayes (wrist)
Day-to-Day: Jack Suwinski (shoulder)
Betting Trends
Against the Spread (ATS):
Blue Jays: 65-61 ATS this season
Pirates: 59-67 ATS this season
Over/Under Trends:
The total has gone over in 7 of Toronto’s last 10 games
The total has gone over in 5 of Pittsburgh’s last 8 games at home
Player Prop to Watch
Bo Bichette (Blue Jays) – Hits + Runs + RBIs Total: 2.5
Bichette has been hot over the past two weeks, batting .319 in that stretch. With a rookie starter on the mound, he’s in a great spot to hit the over on tonight’s prop line.
Andrew McCutchen (Pirates) – Home Run Prop
Don’t sleep on the veteran slugger, who’s hit two homers in his last five games. At +375 to go yard, McCutchen could be worth a small flier.
Prediction & Best Bets
Spread: Blue Jays -1.5 → With Gausman on the hill and a clear talent advantage, Toronto should cover the run line.
Total: Over 8.5 → Both teams have been involved in high-scoring games as of late, and the Pirates’ bullpen has struggled frequently in the later innings.
Player Prop: Bo Bichette Over 2.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs → Leading the charge for a playoff push, Bichette is primed for a big night.
Final Score Prediction: Blue Jays 6, Pirates 3
