The Toronto Blue Jays are ready to take on their division rival Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. The opening pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. ET and Fox Sports Sun will be televising the matchup.
Toronto Blue Jays at Tampa Bay Rays Odds
Vegas has listed Tampa Bay (-235) as the favorite over Toronto (+215). The total is sitting at 7 runs and gamblers can wager on the over for -105 and the under for -115. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the current runline odds sitting at Blue Jays +1.5 runs (-105) and Rays -1.5 runs (-115).
The Rays are 88-72 straight up (SU) and 90-69 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 23.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 22.3 units (ATS). The Blue Jays have gone 73-87 SU this year and are 70-89 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 8.8 units for moneyline bettors and 30.0 units ATS.
Rays games have a 71-83-5 over/under record in 2018. The Blue Jays have been a decent over bet with a total record of 79-71-9.
Ryan Borucki will get the nod for the visiting Blue Jays. The southpaw Borucki is 4-5 with a 3.76 ERA and 64 strikeouts. He’s 0-2 with 12 strikeouts and a 2.77 ERA against Tampa Bay this year (two starts).
The Rays are turning to lefty Blake Snell (21-5, 1.90 ERA), who has 211 strikeouts and 60 walks as well as a WHIP of 0.96. Snell is 2-0 with 17 strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA over two starts against Toronto this year.
Toronto’s pitchers have allowed 5.1 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 5.11 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 7.54 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.42, along with a K-per-9 of 9.10.
Blue Jays hitters have slashed .244/.314/.428 on their way to 4.4 runs scored per game this year, including 3.9 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.2 per game over the team’s last five contests (2-3 SU).
Toronto’s hitters have been paced by right fielder Kevin Pillar and first baseman Justin Smoak, who have combined to launch 40 home runs. Pillar is slashing .248/.278/.420 with 15 home runs, 58 RBIs, 64 runs and 14 steals. Smoak has a .242 average with 25 homers, 77 RBIs and 67 runs scored.
For the home team, Tampa Bay’s pitchers have given up 4.0 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starters have a 3.71 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 9.5 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.80 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 8.2 K/9. In 74 games against AL East opponents, Rays starters have an ERA of 4.97 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.84.
The Tampa Bay offense is putting up 4.4 runs per outing, including 4.4 per game against divisional foes and 3.6 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .193/.290/.311 over its last five games and is 1-4 SU during that stretch.
The Rays’ offense has been led by third baseman Matt Duffy and second baseman Joey Wendle. Duffy is hitting .294/.361/.366 with four home runs, 44 RBIs and 59 runs scored, while Wendle’s line is .300/.354/.436 with seven homers, 59 RBIs, 61 runs and 15 steals.
The Blue Jays have lost 20.4 units and are 21-31 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in 24 of those games, compared to 23 that’ve hit the under against lefties. On the other hand, the Rays have netted 10.1 units and are 27-18 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over has cashed in 16 of those games, compared to 27 that went under the total.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Tampa Bay Rays Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Rays, ATS Winner – Blue Jays, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The over has hit in just two of Toronto’s last seven contests.
- The Rays have lost four of their last five games SU.
- Toronto has posted 20.2 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 19.2 over its last five.
- The Blue Jays have hit 15 home runs in their last 10 games. The Rays have hit nine over their last 10.
