Context:

The Toronto Blue Jays, with pitcher Chris Bassit, are favored to win the series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates, having split the first two games of their series. Chris Bassit has been reliable for the Blue Jays, leading them to a 15-11 record in his starts, despite his mediocre ERA of 4.22. Johan Oviedo, recovering from Tommy John surgery, will pitch for the Pirates; his control issues were evident in his season debut, where he walked three batters in one inning. The Pirates' weak offense and bullpen, alongside Oviedo's uncertainties, make them the underdogs in this matchup. Betting odds favor the Blue Jays, with predictions suggesting they will maintain their lead in the AL East with a win in this game.

Dive Deeper:

• The Blue Jays have split their first two games against the Pirates, entering the series finale as road favorites, with the game scheduled at PNC Park at 12:35 p.m. EST.

• Chris Bassit, who has a 4.22 ERA, is pitching for Toronto; he has led the team to a 15-11 record in his starts this season, often allowing three or fewer earned runs in most of his outings.

• Johan Oviedo will pitch for the Pirates, making only his second appearance in the 2025 season after returning from Tommy John surgery, having shown control issues by walking three batters in his debut.

• The Pirates' bullpen holds a 4.20 ERA, and the team has struggled offensively, scoring the fewest runs in MLB, which poses challenges against a disciplined Blue Jays lineup.

• Betting markets currently favor the Blue Jays, with a moneyline of -164, reflecting the expectation that Bassit's consistent performance will outmatch the uncertainty surrounding Oviedo and the Pirates' offense.