The Tampa Bay Rays will head north to Rogers Centre to face their divisional rival Toronto Blue Jays. The matchup will get underway at 7:07 p.m. ET and Fox Sports Sun is in line to broadcast the game.
Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Toronto (+115) as the underdog to Tampa Bay (-125). The total sits at 8.5 runs and bettors can take either the over or the under for -110. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the most recent odds sitting at Rays -1.5 runs (+120) and Blue Jays +1.5 runs (-140).
The Blue Jays are 51-60 straight up (SU) and 50-63 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 8.8 units for moneyline bettors and 21.8 units (ATS). Toronto has a 3-4 ATS record over its last seven games and the total has gone over in six of those seven. The Rays are 56-56 SU and have gone 61-53 ATS. In total, the team’s accumulated 3.3 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 9.4 units ATS. Tampa Bay has covered the spread just twice over its last seven games and the under has cashed in four of those seven.
Toronto games have an over/under record of 58-47-8 in 2018. The Rays have been a good under bet with a total record of 50-61-3.
As a unit, Toronto’s pitchers have yielded 5.0 runs per game overall this year. Its starters have an ERA of 4.84, a WHIP of 1.40 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.9. The bullpen has a 4.44 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 9.2 K/9. In 42 divisional games, Blue Jays starters have an ERA of 4.46 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.10.
Toronto’s offense has put up 4.5 runs per outing, including 3.9 per game against divisional foes and 5.0 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .287/.332/.489 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
The Blue Jays’ batters have been led by third baseman Yangervis Solarte and first baseman Justin Smoak. Solarte is hitting .233/.285/.401 with 17 home runs, 53 RBIs and 48 runs scored, and Smoak’s line sits at .252/.360/.469 with 17 homers, 56 RBIs and 47 runs scored.
In the visiting dugout, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff allowed 4.2 runs per game and its starters own a 3.79 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 9.12 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.99, along with a WHIP of 1.21.
Rays hitters have slashed .255/.330/.396 on their way to 4.2 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.0 runs per game against divisional foes and 4.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Third baseman Matt Duffy and first baseman C.J. Cron continue to lead Tampa Bay’s offense. Duffy is slashing .301/.353/.383 with four home runs, 31 RBIs and 39 runs scored, while Cron (.250/.320/.476) has produced 22 homers, 56 RBIs and 52 runs scored.
The Rays have lost 6.0 units and are 39-41 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over’s hit in 39 of those games, compared to 39 that’ve gone under against -handed starting pitchers.
Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Rays, ATS Winner – Rays, O/U – UNDER
