The Tampa Bay Rays (13-1) look to rebound against the Toronto Blue Jays (9-5) in the 2nd of a 3-game set at Rogers Centre Saturday. First pitch is at 3:07 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: Blue Jays lead 1-0.
The Rays were dealt their 1st loss of the season Friday, falling to the Jays 6-3 to end their bid for MLB’s post-1900 record for consecutive wins to open a season. Tampa gave up 4 runs in the 5th inning and chipped away but couldn’t overcome the deficit. RHP Yonny Chirinos gave the Rays 3 2/3 IP in relief, and they’ll have a rested bullpen Saturday.
Blue Jays SS Bo Bichette had a night to remember, going 5-for-5 with an RBI. He’s now hitting .391 and has hit safely in 11 of 13 games. Closer RHP Jordan Romano only needed 9 pitches to shut down the 9th inning Friday and should be ready again Saturday.
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Rays at Blue Jays projected starters
RHP Calvin Faucher vs. LHP Yusei Kikuchi
Faucher (0-0, 4.50 ERA) makes his 1st start and 5th appearance. He has a 1.33 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9 and 8.5 K/9 in 6 IP.
- Will serve as the opener; has topped out at 2 IP and 33 pitches this season
- Features a 95-mph fastball, a slider and a curve; has struck out Blue Jays 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. both times he faced him
Kikuchi (1-0, 6.75 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 1.50 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 7.7 K/9 in 9 1/3 IP.
- Had a rough outing last time out, allowing 6 ER on 9 H and 1 BB in 4 1/3 IP to the Los Angeles Angels
- Has been great against Tampa in 4 career starts: 3-0, 1.96 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 24 K’s in 23 IP
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 10:46 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rays -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Blue Jays -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays -1.5 (+150) | Blue Jays +1.5 (-185)
- Over/Under (O/U): 10 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Rays at Blue Jays picks and predictions
Prediction
Blue Jays 5, Rays 4
Moneyline
After such a long winning streak, Tampa could opt to rest a regular or 2 to reset on Saturday. They’re hitting .312 against lefties this year, and I expect them to keep it close.
However, I’ll LEAN BLUE JAYS (-115) because of Kikuchi’s success against Tampa and the likelihood of a bullpen game for the Rays. Toronto is 8-2 in its last 10 games and has won 3 in a row against Tampa Bay dating back to last year.
Run line/Against the spread
I’m going to PASS at both run lines Saturday and look to the total.
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Over/Under
There is some traction for the Over, as it’s 4-1-1 in the last 6 between the clubs. However, I’m looking for a strong start from Kikuchi, and Tampa’s ‘pen is rested to take the ball Saturday. The Under is 5-0-1 in the Rays’ last 6 against teams with a winning record. The last 3 between these teams and 7 of the last 10 went below this number.
.Take the UNDER 10 (-115).
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