The Toronto Blue Jays are set to host their AL East foe Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre. Fox Sports Sun will be showing the matchup and the opening pitch is scheduled for 4:07 p.m. ET.
Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays Odds
Tampa Bay (-130) is favored over Toronto (+120) and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under for this one at 9 runs (+100 for the over and -120 for the under). Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the runline odds sitting at Rays -1.5 runs (+115) and Blue Jays +1.5 runs (-135).
The Blue Jays are 70-84 straight up (SU) and 68-85 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 7.2 units for moneyline bettors and 27.6 units (ATS). Toronto has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven. The Rays, on the other hand, have gone 86-67 SU this year and are 87-65 ATS. Overall, the team’s gained 24.8 units for moneyline bettors and 23.9 units ATS. Tampa Bay’s covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven.
Toronto games have an over/under record of 78-66-9 in 2018. The Rays have been a decent under bet with a total record of 67-80-5.
Tyler Glasnow is getting the nod for Tampa Bay. The right-handed Glasnow is 2-6 with a 4.22 ERA and 121 strikeouts. He’s 0-1 with eight strikeouts and a 12.71 ERA against Toronto this year (two starts).
The Blue Jays are sending Thomas Pannone (3-1, 3.77 ERA) to the mound. Pannone has 21 strikeouts and nine walks to his credit, as well as a 1.06 WHIP. Pannone is 0-0 with four strikeouts and a 6.75 ERA against Tampa Bay this year.
As a unit, Toronto’s pitchers have allowed 5.2 runs per game overall this season. Its starting pitching staff has a 5.13 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.51 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 9.1 K/9. In 71 games against divisional opponents, Blue Jays starters have an ERA of 4.77 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.39.
The Toronto hitters are putting up 4.4 runs per outing, including 3.9 per game against divisional foes and 4.8 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .222/.257/.455 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that span.
First baseman Justin Smoak and outfielder Kevin Pillar have paced the Blue Jays’ offense this year. Smoak is slashing .246/.355/.465 with 25 home runs, 77 RBIs and 65 runs scored, and Pillar is batting .247 with 14 homers, 56 RBIs, 61 runs and 14 stolen bases.
In the visiting dugout, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff allowed 3.9 runs per game and its starters own a 3.61 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 9.39 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 3.64, along with a WHIP of 1.16.
Rays hitters have slashed .261/.337/.408 on their way to 4.4 runs scored per game this year, including 4.5 runs per game against divisional foes and 7.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (4-1 SU).
Third baseman Matt Duffy and second baseman Joey Wendle have led Tampa Bay’s hitters. The speedy Duffy is slashing .299/.362/.372 with four home runs, 44 RBIs and 58 runs scored. Wendle is slashing .302/.354/.439 with seven homers, 56 RBIs, 57 runs and 15 stolen bases.
The Blue Jays have gained 11.2 units and are 47-56 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 54 of those games, compared to 45 that’ve hit the under against righty starters.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Toronto Blue Jays Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Rays, ATS Winner – Rays, O/U – OVER
