The Toronto Blue Jays are ready to face their divisional rival Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Fox Sports Sun will broadcast the matchup and the game is scheduled to get underway at 3:10 p.m. ET.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Tampa Bay Rays Odds
The Rays are 89-72 straight up (SU) and 90-70 against the spread (ATS). The team’s gained 22.2 units for moneyline bettors and 21.3 units (ATS). The Blue Jays have gone 73-88 SU this year and are 71-89 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 7.2 units for moneyline bettors and 29.0 units ATS.
Tampa Bay games have an over/under record of 72-83-5 in 2018. The Blue Jays have been a decent over bet with a total record of 80-71-9.
Right-hander Sam Gaviglio will get the nod for the visiting Blue Jays. Gaviglio is 3-9 with a 5.19 ERA and 102 strikeouts. He’s 0-2 with 12 strikeouts and a 5.27 ERA against Tampa Bay this year (three starts).
The Rays will be sending righty Ryne Stanek (2-3, 3.08 ERA) to the mound. Stanek has 78 strikeouts and 27 walks to his credit, as well as a 1.10 WHIP. Stanek is 0-0 with 10 strikeouts and a 2.25 ERA over five starts against Toronto this year.
Toronto’s pitchers have allowed 5.1 runs per game and its starters own a 5.12 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 7.51 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.41, along with a K-per-9 of 9.09.
The Blue Jays offense has slashed .244/.314/.427 on its way to 4.4 runs scored per game in 2018, including 3.9 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (2-3 SU).
Toronto’s hitters have been led by right fielder Kevin Pillar and first baseman Justin Smoak, who’ve collectively swatted 40 home runs. Pillar is hitting .248/.278/.420 with 15 home runs, 58 RBIs, 64 runs and 14 stolen bases, while Smoak (.242/.350/.457) is up to 25 homers, 77 RBIs and 67 runs scored.
In the home-team dugout, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has given up 4.0 runs per game overall this year. The club’s starters have an ERA of 3.69, a WHIP of 1.18 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.6. The bullpen has a 3.80 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 8.3 K/9. In 75 games against divisional opponents, Rays starters have an ERA of 4.91 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.84.
The Tampa Bay offense has produced 4.4 runs per contest, including 4.4 per game against divisional foes and 4.2 per game over its last five. The team has hit .236/.320/.391 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that span.
Third baseman Matt Duffy and second baseman Joey Wendle have led the Rays’ batters this year. Duffy is slashing .294/.361/.366 with four home runs, 44 RBIs and 59 runs scored, and Wendle’s line is .300/.354/.436 with seven homers, 59 RBIs, 61 runs and 15 stolen bases.
Toronto Blue Jays at Tampa Bay Rays MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Rays, ATS Winner – Blue Jays, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Toronto has tallied 17 extra-base hits over its last five outings. Tampa Bay has 14 XBH over its last five.
- Tampa Bay has posted 20.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 19.4 over its last five.
- The Blue Jays have hit 17 home runs in their last 10 games. The Rays have hit nine over their last 10.
