MLB: Orioles call up baseball's top prospect; Astros' Valdez on IL, Jays look to sweep Mariners

Got to give credit where credit is due: The Toronto Blue Jays are sitting on a potential series sweep over the Seattle Mariners today (game time 3:07 p.m. EST, broadcast on Sportsnet) because their starting pitching these past few days has come as advertised.

It looked bleak on Saturday, in the cold confines of Yankee Stadium, as Kevin Gausman, a cog in that starting rotation, and a legitimate Cy Young betting candidate, got battered in the second inning. Gausman dealt with shoulder pain issues all spring training and saw his four-seam fastball velo average just 91.4 mph that game.  

But in Monday’s home opener, a 5-2 win over Seattle, Jose Berrios went 6.2 innings, tossing 101 pitches, allowing just four hits, striking out six with just one walk. And last night, Chris Bassitt followed that up – 6.2 IP, tossing 115 pitches, five hits, eight SOs, 4 walks issued.

⚾ Bet on Mariners vs. Blue Jays at DraftKings ⚾

Today Yusei Kikuchi (0-1, 2.79 ERA, 9.2 IP, 1.55 WHIP, 11 SOs) goes up against Logan Gilbert (0-0, 3.55 ERA, 12.2 IP, 0.87 WHIP, 15 SOs) in the series finale.

For the MLB betting crowd: BetMGM has the Jays moneyline at 1.87, and the Mariners at 1.95. Seattle is -1.5 (2.55) on the spread, the Jays +1.5 (1.53). The Over/Under is 8 (1.83 on the O/2.00 on the U).

George Springer had a big night last night at the plate for the Jays – 2-for-5 with 2 RBIs, including an at-bat where he fouled off eight consecutive pitches, wearing down Seattle starting pitcher George Kirby, helping to set-up Bo Bichette’s two-run HR in the third inning.

Orioles Promote MLB’s Top Prospect

As if the Orioles weren’t loaded enough – the big MLB news today is Baltimore is promoting infielder Jackson Holliday, the No. 1 prospect in baseball, to the major leagues, after a red-hot start to his season at Triple A. 

Holliday, 20, the son of the seven-time MLB all-star Matt Holliday, was the top pick in the 2022 MLB Draft.

In ten games with the Norfolk Ties, Holliday has hit .333/.482/.595 with two HRs, nine RBIs, five doubles, and 12 walks, with eights strikeouts.

⚾ Bet on Orioles vs. Red Sox at FanDuel ⚾

It looks like Holliday will be joining the Orioles at Fenway Park for their game tonight (7:07 p.m.) against the Boston Red Sox. Holliday is expected to play second base and team up with last season’s rookie-of-the-year Gunnar Henderson at shortstop.

The Orioles are stacked with young position players – Holliday, Henderson, catcher Adley Rutschman, outfielder Colton Cowser (.467 batting average so far) and infielder Jordan Westburg (one HR, 5 RBIs). 

Astros’ Valdez Heads to IL

The Houston Astros have sent left-hand pitcher Framber Valdez to the 15-day IL due to elbow soreness. 

Manager Joe Espada told Associated Press he hopes the pitcher will miss just a few starts. Espada reports that it’s inflammation on the elbow.

The Astros have called up pitching prospect Spencer Arrighetti (ranked the Astros’ fourth-best pitching prospect by ESPN) to fill in. He’ll make his big-league debut today against the Kansas City Royals.

What Are Those Updated AL East Futures?

The Yankees remain the betting favourite at NorthStar Bets to win the American League East (2.05), followed by the Orioles (3.00), the Jays (7.50) Tampa Bay Rays (8.00) and Red Sox (18.00).

Most Bet Player Props for Today

According to DraftKings, Adolis Garcia Under 0.5 Home Runs (1.39), Austin Riley Over 0.5 Hits (1.36), Mookie Betts Over 1.5 Total Bases (2.00), Juan Soto Over 0.5 RBIs (2.85) and Jose Siriano Under 4.5 Strikeouts Thrown (1.57) are most bet MLB player props today.