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The Tampa Bay Rays (97-62) and the Toronto Blue Jays (88-71) open a 3-game series Friday at Rogers Centre. First pitch is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. ET (MLB Network). 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: tied 5-5
The Rays head into the final regular-season series locked into the top Wild Card in the American League. Tampa Bay has won 3 of the past 4 games overall, and it has the chance at 100 regular-season wins if it can sweep this final 3-game set. The franchise record was 100 regular-season wins set in 2021.
The Blue Jays are in a precarious position. Toronto sits a game ahead of the Houston Astros for the 2nd AL Wild card, but it is also just 2 games clear of the Seattle Mariners. Those 3 teams are fighting for 2 playoff berths and one team will be left out in the cold.
Toronto picked up a 6-0 victory against the eliminated New York Yankees Thursday behind RHP Chris Bassitt after being blanked in the first 2 games of its series. The Under cashed in all 3 games in the set.
Rays at Blue Jays projected starters
RHP Aaron Civale vs. LHP Yusei Kikuchi
Civale (7-4, 3.43 ERA) makes his 23rd start. He has a 1.14 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 8.4 K/9 in 120 2/3 innings with the Rays and Cleveland Guardians.
- Last start: Loss, 3 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 7 K in 8-3 home loss vs. the Los Angeles Angels Sept. 20
- 2023 road splits: 4-2, 2.31 ERA (58 1/3 IP, 15 ER), 6 HR, .236 OBA in 11 starts
- Got a couple of extra days of rest since his last start as he was battling an illness
Kikuchi (10-6, 3.82 ERA) makes his 32nd start. He has a 1.27 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 9.8 K/9 in 162 2/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 4 IP, 3 ER, 9 H, 0 BB, 7 K in 9-5 road win vs. the Tampa Bay Rays Sunday
- 2023 home splits: 5-3, 3.87 ERA (74 1/3 IP, 32 ER), 13 HR, .222 OBA in 14 starts
- 2023 vs. Tampa Bay: 1-1, 5.40 ERA, 15 IP, 9 ER, 3 HR, 3 BB, 21 K in 15 IP in 3 starts
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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 6:45 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (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 (-160) | Blue Jays -1.5 (+135)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Rays at Blue Jays picks and predictions
Prediction
Rays 4, Blue Jays 3
Moneyline
The RAYS (+125) are worth playing as short ‘dogs in the series opener, as Civale works his strength back up from an illness.
The Blue Jays haven’t gotten good production out of the southpaw Kikuchi at home this season and he has struggled mightily against the Rays. Look for that trend to continue Friday.
Run line/Against the spread
The RAYS +1.5 (-160) aren’t priced out of line if you don’t want to bet Tampa Bay straight up, and would prefer a little bit of insurance instead.
Tampa Bay is 10-1 on the run line as an underdog in the past 11 outings, including outright victories in 5 of those games.
Over/Under
The UNDER 7.5 (-105) is the lean, but go lightly in this series opener.
Tampa Bay had cashed the Over in 7 straight games until an Under result last time out on Wednesday.
The Over has also cashed in 8 consecutive meetings between these clubs, so be very careful. However, the Jays have cashed 3 straight Unders while averaging just 2.0 runs per game (RPG).
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