The Blue Jays have faced many injuries early in the season, with some players returning while others have spent most or all of the year on the injured list. After an April 18 loss dropped them to 7-13, they improved to 16-13 and have lost only two of their last night series, both against the Rays. They split a series in the Bronx but remain 11 games behind the Rays in the American League East. The team needs more consistent winning. The Pirates have not reached the postseason in over a decade, but they are still in the hunt. Their starters post strong run prevention metrics, with a 3.64 ERA and 3.49 FIP, along with solid strikeout and low walk rates. Their bullpen is average, with higher walk rates. The Pirates have allowed relatively few home runs, and their offense has been good so far.
"On April 18, the Blue Jays' lost 6-2 to the Arizona Diamondbacks, dropping their record to 7-13. Since then, they are 16-13, losing just two of their last night series, which both came against the Tampa Bay Rays. Most recently, the Jays earned a series split in the Bronx, but are 11 games behind the Rays for top spot in the American League East. The division hasn't been won yet by any means, but the Jays need to start winning more consistently than they have in the last month."
"It's now been over a decade since the Pirates made the postseason, and seven season since they finished with a record above .500. But over a quarter of the way through the season, the Pirates are still in the hunt. A good farm system is starting to pay off the National League Central team, especially in the starting pitching department. Entering Friday's game, the Pirates' starters have a 3.64 ERA and 3.49 FIP, ranking seventh and third respectively."
"Their 23.3 K% ranks 10th in the big leagues, while they've walked just 7.8% of batters, tied for the sixth-lowest BB% in the big leagues. As for their relief pitching it sits in the middle of the pack with a 4.13 ERA (17th-best) and 4.14 FIP (19th-best). Their relief pitching still strikeout batters at nearly the same clip, 23%, but the Pirates relievers have a 10.8 BB%, 10th-worst in the league."
"Overall, the Pirates have given up 44 home runs this season, tied for the fifth fewest for any pitching staff in baseball. Finally, their offence has been good two"
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