Data Driven MLB play for Friday: Toronto Blue Jays.

At Professionalsportspicks we see a future where those handicapping sports without advanced analytics and data-driven strategies will be left behind.

Our data-driven picks use data integration, search and discovery, and knowledge management along with collaboration with our in-house handicappers. By isolating relevant trends, removing human biases, and targeting only lines with a positive expected value above a certain threshold, our data-driven picks promise to outperform any and all human competitors.

Our models suggest that the value is on Toronto in the opener of this three-game series against Cincinnati. Blue Jays left-hander Hyun Jin Ryu (0-0, 9.00 ERA) struggled in April, but he was sharp in his first game back after a four-week stint on the injured list last Saturday, when he held the Rays to one run on four hits over 4 1/3 innings. The Reds are averaging 2.79 runs per nine innings against left-handers. Ryu is 4-2 with a 3.70 ERA in seven career starts against the Reds.