The Toronto Blue Jays (26-24) wrap up a 4-game divisional series with the Tampa Bay Rays (36-15) Thursday 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: Series tied 3-3
Toronto was back to its losing ways Wednesday, falling 7-3, as it failed to capitalize on a 20-1 victory Tuesday that snapped a 5-game losing skid. The Jays have dropped 8 of the past 10 games overall, while the Over has cashed in each of the previous 5 outings.
The Rays are also on a 5-game Over streak, plating 5.2 runs per game while allowing 37 total runs during the span — although 20 of them came in Tuesday’s loss, including 10 given up by position players. The Over is 11-2 in the past 13 games overall for Tampa.
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Blue Jays at Rays projected starters
RHP Alek Manoah vs. RHP Zach Eflin
Manoah (1-4, 5.15 ERA) makes his 11th start. He has a 1.74 WHIP, 5.9 BB/9 and 7.1 K/9 in 50 2/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 5 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 5 K in a 6-5 loss vs. the Baltimore Orioles Saturday
- Road splits: 1-2, 3.33 ERA (27 IP, 10 ER) with a .233 opponent batting average (OBA) in 5 starts
Eflin (6-1, 3.45 ERA) makes his 9th start. He has a 1.00 WHIP, 1.0 BB/9 and 10.0 K/9 in 47 IP innings.
- Last start: Win, 7 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 8 K in an 8-4 home win vs. the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday
- Home splits: 5-0, 2.40 ERA (30 IP, 8 ER), .202 OBA in 5 starts
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 6:05 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Blue Jays +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Rays -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jays +1.5 (-175) | Rays -1.5 (+145)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
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Blue Jays at Rays picks and predictions
Prediction
Rays 8, Blue Jays 2
Moneyline
The RAYS (-140) are a slam-dunk play, based mostly upon the pitching matchup which tips the scales squarely in the home side’s favor.
Manoah has been horrific this season, although most of his worst performances have come at home. Still, he has been hugely inconsistent and Eflin has been tremendous regardless of the venue.
Run line/Against the spread
The RAYS -1.5 (+145) are a solid play on the run line yet again.
Tampa Bay cashed on the run line Wednesday and Monday against the Blue Jays. However, the Rays are just 3-8 in the past 11 games on the run line as a favorite so the wager certainly comes with some risk.
Tampa Bay is 35-17 in the past 52 home meetings in St. Petersburg while going 3-1 on the run line in the past 4 against Toronto when favored.
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Over/Under
The OVER 8.5 (-120) is worth a look in Thursday’s series finale.
The Over has cashed in 5 straight games for the Blue Jays, while also going 5-0 in the past 5 outings for the Rays.
The Over is 6-1 in the past 7 games on the road for Toronto while cashing at a 4-0 clip in the past 4 games against a right-hander, and 9-1 in the past 10 on the road vs. RHP.
For Tampa, the Over is 7-0 in the past 7 games against the AL East, while going 4-0 in the past 4 in Game 4 of a series. The Over is also 8-2 in the past 10 vs. RHP.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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