The Tampa Bay Rays (78-60) and Toronto Blue Jays (78-61) open a 5-game set Monday at Rogers Centre. First pitch is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Rays vs. Blue Jays odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: Rays lead 6-4
The Rays fell 5 1/2 games behind the New York Yankees for the lead in the AL East after a 10-4 loss Sunday at Yankee Stadium. New York outscored Tampa Bay by a combined 20-7 in the final 2 games of the series.
The Rays have 24 games remaining, including 9 vs. Toronto and 6 vs. the AL-leading Houston Astros.
The Blue Jays fell short of a 3-game sweep over the Texas Rangers with a 4-1 loss Sunday at Globe Life Field. Toronto went 0 for 7 with RISP vs. Rangers starter LHP Martín Pérez. Toronto returns home after going 8-2 over a 10-game road trip.
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Rays at Blue Jays projected starters
RHP Cooper Criswell vs. RHP José Berríos
Criswell (0-1, 20.25 ERA in 2021) makes his 1st start of the 2022 season. He is 1-0 with a 3.95 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 1.6 BB/9 and 7.2 K/9 through 27 1/3 IP for the Triple-A Durham Bulls.
- Second career start in the majors
- Major league debut: Allowed 3 ER on 6 H and 0 BB with 0 K through 1 1/3 IP in a loss vs. the San Diego Padres Aug. 27, 2021, as a member of the Los Angeles Angels
Berríos (10-5, 5.23 ERA) makes his 28th start. He has a 1.39 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 7.9 K/9 through 146 1/3 IP.
- Has won 5 of his last 6 decisions
- Last start: Allowed 3 R (2 ER) on 8 H and 2 BB with 2 K through 6 IP in a win at the Baltimore Orioles last Monday
- Only start vs. the Rays this season: Allowed 2 ER on 8 H and 2 BB with 3 K through 5 IP in a win July 1
- Is 6-1 with a 4.28 ERA through 73 2/3 IP in 13 home starts
Rays at Blue Jays odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:39 p.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Rays +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Blue Jays -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays +1.5 (-165) | Blue Jays -1.5 (+130)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -120 | U: -105)
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Rays at Blue Jays picks and predictions
Prediction
Blue Jays 6, Rays 3
Money line
Tampa Bay was blown out twice at the Yankees in its last 2 games while Toronto is coming off of an impressive 8-2 road trip. The Rays are temporarily in a slump and the Blue Jays should be able to take advantage.
BET BLUE JAYS (-155).
Run line/Against the spread
The Rays probably would have started LHP Ryan Yarbrough Monday, but he was called on to pitch 5 innings in long relief Sunday. With the addition of Criswell, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff should continue to struggle for the 3rd straight game.
BET BLUE JAYS -1.5 (+130).
Over/Under
While Toronto’s offense should be able to capitalize on Tampa Bay’s pitching situation, it’s hard to predict which Berríos we will see on the mound Monday. It doesn’t help that the total is already set high at 8.5. If it were set at 8 or lower, it may have been worth a play.
PASS.
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