The Tampa Bay Rays (13-0) and Toronto Blue Jays (8-5) open a 3-game series Friday at Rogers Centre. First pitch is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rays vs. Blue Jays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting of 2023. Rays won last season’s series 10-9.
The Rays won 9-3 as -224 home favorites vs. the Boston Red Sox Thursday. 1B Yandy Díaz and 2B Brandon Lowe both homered as Tampa Bay tied MLB’s post-1900 record for consecutive wins to start a season.
The Blue Jays lost 3-1 as -246 home favorites vs. the Detroit Tigers Thursday. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drove in the lone run for the Blue Jays, who still secured a 2-1 series win.
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Rays at Blue Jays projected starters
RHP Drew Rasmussen vs. RHP José Berríos
Rasmussen (2-0, 0.00 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 0.23 WHIP, 0.0 BB/9 and 10.4 K/9 through 13 IP.
- Went 11-7 in 28 starts in 2022 with a 2.84 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 7.7 K/9 in 146 IP
- 7 career starts and 1 relief appearance vs. Toronto: 1-3 with a 2.33 ERA (38 2/3 IP, 10 ER)
Berríos (0-2, 11.17 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 1.86 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 11.2 K/9 through 9 2/3 IP.
- Was 12-7 in 32 starts last year with a 5.23 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 7.8 K/9 in 172 IP
- 8 career starts vs. Rays: 1-4 with a 5.86 ERA (43 IP, 28 ER)
Rays at Blue Jays odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:27 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rays -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Blue Jays +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays -1.5 (+125) | Blue Jays +1.5 (-150)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Rays at Blue Jays picks and predictions
Prediction
Rays 6, Blue Jays 5
Moneyline
BET RAYS (-125).
The Rays are undefeated this season and have looked a lot better than the Blue Jays have in their last 2 games. Toronto trailed in all 3 games vs. Detroit and should struggle to keep pace with the Rays who are on a historic win streak. Tampa Bay has the clear pitching advantage with Rasmussen on the mound and should be able to win its 14th straight game to start the season.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
Toronto +1.5 (-150) should hit, but there is no need to pay the higher price on the run line when Rays moneyline is the better play. Bet Rays moneyline and/or the total instead.
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Over/Under
BET OVER 9 (-115).
The Over is 8-1-1 in Tampa Bay’s last 10 games and 6-1-1 in its last 8 vs. right-handed starters.
The Over has hit in 4 of the last 5 meetings between these teams and should cash again Friday with Berríos on the mound.
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