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The Tampa Bay Rays (23-22) and Toronto Blue Jays (19-23) open a 3-game series at Rogers Centre on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. ET (Apple TV+). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Rays vs. Blue Jays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Tied 2-2
After a slow start, the Rays have picked up the pace with 9 wins in the past 13 outings, including 3 of 4 victories in a series win at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox Monday through Thursday. The Under is 3-1 in the past 4 games, and 6-3 across the past 9 outings.
The Blue Jays were on the short end of a 3-2 score against the Baltimore Orioles, as Toronto ended up splitting a 2-game set, as Tuesday’s game was postponed due to weather. The Under is 3-0 in the past 3 games for the Jays, and 5-1 in the past 6 outings.
Rays at Blue Jays projected starters
LHP Tyler Alexander vs. RHP Chris Bassitt
Alexander (1-2, 5.45 ERA) makes his 6th start and 9th appearance. He has a 1.36 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 7.5 K/9 in 39 2/3 IP.
- Last start: Loss, 7 IP, 6 ER, 7 H (3 HR), 2 BB, 3 K in 10-6 home loss vs. New York Yankees last Sunday
- Last road start: Loss, 4 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 3 K in 8-2 loss vs. Milwaukee Brewers on April 30
Bassitt (3-5, 5.06 ERA) makes his 9th start. He has a 1.55 WHIP, 4.2 BB/9 and 8.4 K/9 in 42 2/3 IP.
- Last start: Win, 6 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 6 K in 5-3 road win vs. Philadelphia Phillies on May 8
- Last home start: Loss, 6 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 4 K in 6-1 loss vs. Kansas City Royals on May 1
- 2024 vs. Rays: Loss, 5 IP, 5 R (4 ER), 6 H (1 HR), 2 BB, 6 K in 8-2 road loss on March 29
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Rays at Blue Jays odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:39 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rays +150 (bet $100 to win $150) | Blue Jays -178 (bet $178 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays +1.5 (-152) | Blue Jays -1.5 (+126)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Rays at Blue Jays picks and predictions
Prediction
Blue Jays 5, Rays 4
Moneyline
The BLUE JAYS (-178) are a little on the expensive side, but worth a look in what should be a close game.
Bassitt will look to hound the Rays (+150), who turn to the southpaw Alexander to get the job done.
Toronto has alternated loss and wins across the past 7 losses, including a 3-2 loss at Baltimore last time out on Wednesday.
Run line/Against the spread
If you’re a little more on the conservative side, the RAYS +1.5 (-152) are moderately priced if you’d like a little insurance.
Obviously, you cannot play the Blue Jays straight up, and Rays on the run line. This should be a close game, though. I actually like Tampa Bay catching the run and a half more than I like Toronto straight up.
Over/Under
OVER 8.5 (-105) is worth a look in this series opener, but go lightly.
While the Under has been on a 5-1 roll for the Blue Jays lately, the Over is 3-1 in the past 4 encounters against the Rays.
The Over-Under has split at a 5-5-1 mark in the past 11 road outings for the Rays, while the Under is 6-2 in the past 8 home outings for the Blue Jays.
While Bassitt and Alexander have been giving, go lightly on the Over, playing a half-unit at most.
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