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The Toronto Blue Jays (86-69) and Tampa Bay Rays (95-61) wrap up a 3-game set Sunday at Tropicana Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Blue Jays vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Rays lead 5-4
The Blue Jays lost 7-6 as +101 underdogs as the Over (8) hit in the 2nd game of the series Saturday. Toronto has lost 2 of 3 but still owns a 1-game lead over the Houston Astros for the 2nd AL Wild Card.
Rays RF Josh Lowe hit a 3-run HR in the 3rd inning and a walk-off single, leading Tampa Bay with 4 RBIs Saturday. The Rays have an 8½-game lead over the Blue Jays for the top AL Wild Card and are 2nd in the AL East, 1½ games behind the division-leading Baltimore Orioles.
Blue Jays at Rays projected starters
LHP Yusei Kikuchi vs. RHP Taj Bradley
Kikuchi (10-6, 3.74 ERA) makes his 31st start. He has a 1.24 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 9.6 K/9 in 158 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 5 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 7 K in 7-1 victory at the New York Yankees Tuesday
- 2023 road stats: 5-3, 3.63 ERA (84 1/3 IP, 34 ER) in 16 starts
- 2023 vs. Rays: 1-1, 4.91 ERA (11 IP, 6 ER) in 2 starts — Most recent: Loss, 5 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 5 K in 7-3 road loss May 24
- Career vs. Rays: 4-1, 2.83 ERA (35 IP, 11 ER) in 6 starts and 1 relief appearance
Bradley (5-7, 5.36 ERA) makes his 21st start. The rookie has a 1.38 WHIP, 3.5 BB/9 and 11.7 K/9 in 95 2/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 5 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 6 K in 6-2 home victory vs. the Los Angeles Angels Tuesday
- 2023 home stats: 3-3, 5.40 ERA (45 IP, 27 ER) in 9 starts
- Career vs. Blue Jays: Loss, 4 IP, 4 ER, 9 H, 0 BB, 7 K in 1 start, a 20-1 home loss May 23
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Blue Jays at Rays odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:37 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Blue Jays -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Rays -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jays -1.5 (+155) | Rays +1.5 (-190)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -120 | U: +100)
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Blue Jays at Rays picks and predictions
Prediction
Blue Jays 5, Rays 4
Moneyline
The BLUE JAYS (-105) should bounce back in the series finale after almost coming back from a 5-run deficit Saturday. Kikuchi has allowed 2 or fewer ER in 3 of his last 4 starts and has had success vs. Tampa Bay in the past.
Bradley was overwhelmed in his only career outing vs. Toronto and has gone 10 straight starts without recording a win.
BET BLUE JAYS (-105).
Run line/Against the spread
Toronto has lost 5 of 9 games vs. the Rays this season and expecting it to win by multiple runs is a tough ask. Tampa Bay +1.5 (-190) will likely hit, but there’s no need to pay the higher price on the run line when Toronto ML is the better play.
PASS. Bet the moneyline and/or the total instead.
Over/Under
The Over is 45-36-4 (60.0%) this season when the Rays are coming off a win, according to TeamRankings.com.
The Over has also hit in 5 of Tampa Bay’s last 7 games and should cash again Sunday with Bradley on the mound for the Rays.
LEAN OVER 8 (-120).
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