The Toronto Blue Jays (84-65) and Tampa Bay Rays (82-67) open a 4-game set Thursday at Tropicana Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Blue Jays vs. Rays odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: Rays lead 8-7
The Blue Jays blew a late 3-run lead in a 4-3 extra-inning loss Wednesday at the Philadelphia Phillies. Toronto 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a tiebreaking 3-run HR in the 8th inning, but Philadelphia eventually cashed its live money line of +1600 in the 10th inning. Blue Jays All-Star 2B Santiago Espinal left the game with left-side discomfort.
Guerrero is batting .306 (3 HRs, 7 RBI) during his current 14-game hitting streak for the Blue Jays, who lead the AL wild-card standings.
The Rays were swept by the Astros in a 3-game series after a 5-2 loss at home Wednesday. Tampa Bay was outscored 14-2 in the series.
With the Rays owning the 3rd-lowest attendance in MLB this season, that may be a factor in Tampa Bay opening as a home underdog for the third consecutive game.
The Rays are 2nd in the AL wild-card standings, 2 games back.
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Blue Jays at Rays projected starters
RHP José Berríos vs. RHP JT Chargois
Berríos (11-5, 4.99 ERA) makes his 30th start. He has a 1.38 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 7.7 K/9 in 158 2/3 IP.
- Last start: 6 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 3 K in Saturday win vs. the Baltimore Orioles
- Has won 6 of last 7 decisions
- 2022 vs. Rays: 1-0, 2.38 ERA (11 1/3 IP, 3 ER)
Chargois (2-0, 2.76 ERA) makes his 3rd start and 17th appearance. He has a 0.98 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 6.6 K/9 in 16 1/3 IP.
- 2022 vs. Toronto: 0-0, 0.00 ERA (2 1/3 IP), 2 H, 0 BB, 1 K in 2 relief appearances
- Rays LHP Ryan Yarbrough (2-8, 4.33 ERA, 79 IP, 38 ER, 9 starts and 10 relief appearances) will follow opener Chargois
Blue Jays at Rays odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:14 p.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Blue Jays -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Rays +102 (bet $100 to win $102)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jays -1.5 (+135) | Rays +1.5 (-170)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Blue Jays at Rays picks and predictions
Prediction
Blue Jays 5, Rays 3
Money line
BET BLUE JAYS (-125).
The Blue Jays looked good Wednesday until the bullpen gave up 3 runs in the 8th inning. Expect Toronto to bounce back from a heart-breaking loss.
The Blue Jays should also be extra focused Thursday since the last time they saw the Rays was an 11-0 Tampa Bay win in Toronto Sept. 15.
Run line/Against the spread
BET BLUE JAYS -1.5 (+135).
Five of Tampa Bay’s last 6 losses have been by 3 or more runs. Toronto’s last 5 wins have been by 3 or more runs.
The Blue Jays have been dominant in their recent wins while the Rays seem to completely fall apart when they’re behind.
Over/Under
PASS.
The Under is 5-2 in the last 7 head-to-head meetings. The Over is 7-0 in Berríos’ last 7 starts on the road vs. a team with a record above .500.
There are too many conflicting trends, and it is hard to predict how many runs an inconsistent Berríos will allow Thursday.
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