The Toronto Blue Jays (26-23) and Tampa Bay Rays (35-15) play the finale of a 3-game set at Tropicana Field Wednesday. First pitch is at 6:10 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: Toronto leads 3-2
The Blue Jays had fun Tuesday, destroying Tampa 20-1 as 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a grand slam and drove in 6 runs. He also struck out against a position player in the 9th to give his teammates a laugh. Four Blue Jays drove in at least 3 runs Tuesday as Toronto snapped a 5-game losing streak.
Tampa has been a .500 ballclub since its historic start to the season. The Rays are 5-5 and 11-9 over the last 10 and 20 games, respectively. They’re great at home and against lefties, too, which they’ll face Wednesday. Tampa is 22-5 at home and 7-2 against southpaws.
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Blue Jays at Rays projected starters
LHP Yusei Kikuchi vs. LHP Shane McClanahan
Kikuchi (5-1, 4.08 ERA) makes his 10th start. He has a 1.32 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 8.4 K/9 in 46 1/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 4 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 3 K, against the Orioles Friday
- Last 5 starts vs. Tampa: 4-0, 1.86 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 33 K in 29 IP
McClanahan (7-0, 2.05 ERA) makes his 11th start. He has a 1.19 WHIP, 3.9 BB/9 and 10.7 K/9 in 57 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 7 IP, 0 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 7 K, against the Brewers Friday
- Last 5 starts vs. Toronto: 3-1, 2.33 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 28 K in 27 IP
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 10 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Blue Jays +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Rays -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jays +1.5 (-135) | Rays -1.5 (+110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Blue Jays at Rays picks and predictions
Prediction
Rays 6, Blue Jays 3
Moneyline
What happens the day after a team puts up a 20 spot? It seems inevitable they used all their bullets that day and only plate a couple the next day. McClanahan figures to help that theory. We’re going to PASS on the ML, though, and look to the spread.
Run line/Against the spread
These teams haven’t played a 1-run game in the last 10 games against each other. Toronto hasn’t done it in 9 overall. The Rays are tops in baseball with 1.96 homers/game, and Kikuchi has gone fewer than 5 IP with at least 3 ER in 3 of his last 4 starts.
Take the RAYS -1.5 (+110).
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Over/Under
Each team has cashed 4 Overs in a row. The Over is 4-1-1 in the last 6 between the teams and 5-1 in the last 6 in Tampa. It’s just a lean because Toronto is pegged for some regression after its 20-run explosion, but LEAN OVER 8.5 (-105).
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