The Tampa Bay Rays (79-63) face the Toronto Blue Jays (81-62) Thursday in the finale of a 5-game set at Rogers Centre. First pitch is set for 3:07 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Rays vs. Blue Jays odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: Tied 7-7
Tampa has lost 3 of the first 4 contests of this extended 5-game series and has lost 5 of 6 overall. They should receive a jolt with the return of their ace LHP Shane McClanahan Thursday. The Rays still sit in the final AL wild-card spot and have a 4-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles.
Toronto sits 1 1/2 games ahead of Seattle in the first wild-card spot. The Jays are 7-3 and 20-10 over the last 10 and 30 games, respectively. 2B Bo Bichette is having a month to remember, hitting .483 with 7 homers and 22 RBIs in 60 September ABs.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Rays at Blue Jays projected starters
LHP Shane McClanahan vs. RHP Kevin Gausman
McClanahan (11-5, 2.20 ERA) makes his 25th start. He has a 0.86 WHIP, 1.8 BB/9 and 11.1 K/9 in 147 1/3 IP.
- First start since Aug. 30 due to a shoulder impingement
- Had a 2.84 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 8.5 K/9 in 25 1/3 IP in August
Gausman (12-9, 3.31 ERA) makes his 28th start. He has a 1.25 WHIP, 1.4 BB/9 and 10.6 K/9 in 152 1/3 IP.
- Last 4 starts: 5.09 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 11.7 K/9
- 3 starts vs. Tampa this season: 17 IP, 10 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 21 K
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 8:02 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Rays +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Blue Jays -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays +1.5 (-180) | Blue Jays -1.5 (+145)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: +105 | U: -130)
Claim your risk-free bet up to $350. Catch the excitement and start betting with Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Bet now!
Rays at Blue Jays picks and predictions
Prediction
Blue Jays 4, Rays 3
Money line
The Blue Jays are too hot to pick against, but I do think McClanahan comes back and is effective. Gausman has given up at least 2 runs in 4 straight starts and 5 of 6.
The RAYS FIRST 5 INNINGS +0.5 (-130) has some value in case there’s a tie at the end of 5.
Run line/Against the spread
I like the Rays’ ML here, but -175 is a bit out of my price range. These starters should strike out a ton of hitters so keep an eye on those prop bets when they pop up closer to first pitch.
I like TAMPA OVER 1.5 TOTAL RUNS FIRST 5 INNINGS (-102).
Over/Under
Both teams are 4-6 O/U over the last 10 games. It’s a chilly, 59-degree day, which may force them to close the roof. The Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings. I’ll LEAN UNDER 7.5 (-130).
Want action on this game or any other MLB contests? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in CO and NJ. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Ryan Dodson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
BaseballPress.com: Your source for every MLB lineup
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]
[mm-video type=playlist id=01fb7dafw2b08817yr player_id=none image=https://sportsbookwire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]