The Tampa Bay Rays (90-55) and Toronto Blue Jays (81-64) meet Wednesday at 3:07 p.m. ET to close out a three-game series at Rogers Centre. Let’s analyze the lines around the Rays vs. Blue Jays odds with MLB picks and predictions.
RHP Michael Wacha is the projected starting pitcher for the Rays. Through 25 games (20 starts), he is 3-4 with a 5.37 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 8.9 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9 across 105 2/3 IP.
- Struggled over his first three starts of August but owns a 3.10 ERA over 20 1/3 IP spanning four games since.
- Has posted dodgy numbers away from home with a 6.28 ERA this season and 5.78 road figure over the last three years.
LHP Robbie Ray is the projected starting pitcher for the Blue Jays. He is 11-5 with a 2.69 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 11.6 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 across 170 1/3 IP through 28 starts.
- Owns a 1.33 ERA and 0.81 WHIP over his last six starts at Rogers Centre.
- Has held current Tampa Bay batters to a .576 OPS.
Rays at Blue Jays odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 1 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Rays +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Blue Jays -180 (bet $180 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Rays +1.5 (-140) | Blue Jays -1.5 (+115)
- Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -125 | U: +100)
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Prediction
Blue Jays 5, Rays 4
Money line (ML)
Tampa Bay is the class of a loaded AL East, but the Rays are just 6-7 with a 4.86 ERA this month. They won Tuesday’s contest 2-0 to snap a four-game win streak for the Jays. Toronto scored 52 runs across three wins over the Baltimore Orioles and one against the Rays.
The Blue Jays are 12-2 in September and have clocked a 1.002 OPS and .607 SLG over the 14 games.
The Rays have won nine of 15 games in the head-to-head season series but with a near-even run differential.
BACK THE BLUE JAYS (-180) in this series finale. Ray is a difference-maker, and Toronto has won five straight series finales.
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
Tampa Bay is a scratch-and-claw club not prone to sloppy losses and the Rays are 84-61 against the run line.
Bettors looking to avoid the outlay on the money line: be cautious and consider a partial-unit play on TORONTO -1.5 (+115).
Over/Under (O/U)
PASS. An evenly (or near it) priced 8.5 line would garner interest on the Over but the extra juice here makes for a bright red light.
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