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The Toronto Blue Jays (1-0) take on the Tampa Bay Rays (0-1) Friday at Tropicana Field at 6:50 p.m. ET. 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: Blue Jays lead 1-0
The Jays took the season opener 8-2 as OF George Springer, 2B Cavin Biggio and 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. each homered. RHP Jose Berrios was dealing with 6 Ks and 2 ER over 6 IP. They’ll look to stay hot at the Trop Friday.
The Rays had their chances as 1B Yandy Diaz went 3-for-4 with a homer and 2 RBI from the leadoff spot. The next 5 hitters combined to go 1-for-17 in the game with 6 Ks. RHP Zach Eflin went 5 2/3 IP and allowed all 3 HRs and 6 ER total. The Rays counter with RHP Aaron Civale Friday, who went 2-3 with a 5.36 ERA, 1.37 WHIP in 10 starts after acquiring him at the deadline.
Blue Jays at Rays projected starters
RHP Chris Bassitt vs. RHP Aaron Civale
Bassitt went 16-8 with a 3.60 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 8.4 K/9 over 200 IP last season.
- Went 1-1 with a 2.77 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 12 Ks in 13 IP in 2 starts against Tampa last year
- Was 8-4 with a 4.50 ERA, 1.40 WHIP in 16 road starts last year vs. 8-4 with a 2.86 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 17 home starts
Civale was 7-5 with a 3.46 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 8.5 K/9 in 122 1/3 IP with Cleveland and Tampa last season.
- Had an abbreviated start in a loss against Toronto Sept. 29 last year, allowing 1 run on 2 H and 2 BB while fanning 3 over 1 1/3 IP
- Was 0-1 with a 6.94 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 12.7 K/9 in 5 starts at the Trop last year
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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 12:05 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Blue Jays +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Rays -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jays +1.5 (-200) | Rays -1.5 (+165)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Blue Jays at Rays picks and predictions
Prediction
Blue Jays 6, Rays 4
Moneyline
I like the Blue Jays again on Friday. Their bats are eviscerating opposing pitchers right now, and I like Bassitt tenfold over Civale. Six of the 9 Blue Jays in the lineup had hits Thursday, and Civale has allowed 18 of those in 13 1/3 career IP against Toronto.
Take the BLUE JAYS +105.
Run line/Against the spread
There are a couple of wagers I like in this matchup. First, BLUE JAYS -1.5 (+165) is a little on the risky side, but the payout is worth it. The Jays received 3 scoreless innings with 5 Ks from their bullpen Thursday, and it should be in good shape Friday.
On a chalkier note, I also like AARON CIVALE OVER 1.5 EARNED RUNS (-160) as a slam dunk play. He has allowed 9 ER in 13 1/3 career IP (6.08 ERA) against the Jays.
Over/Under
The Over 7.5 cashed Thursday thanks to 8 runs from the Jays. I don’t expect that big of an output Friday, but I still like the OVER 8 (-105).
The Rays’ pen issued 6 walks, and 4 homers combined were hit in Thursday’s game. The pitching matchup isn’t one to write home about either.
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