Toronto Blue Jays vs
Tampa Bay RaysPredictions & Preview

Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays Set to Face Off in Crucial Series Opener

The Tampa Bay Rays are set to face off against the Toronto Blue Jays in a crucial series opener at home on Friday, with a split record of two wins each in their last four games. Jose Berrios with an ERA of 3.44 will take the mound for the Blue Jays, while Tyler Alexander with an ERA of 5.58 will start for the Rays. Tampa Bay is favored to win with an opening line of -110 and the current line sitting at -108. Fans can expect an exciting matchup as the two teams battle it out on the field.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Blue Jays -104 | Rays -108
• Spread: Blue Jays +1.5 (-212) | Rays -1.5 (+182)
• Total: Over/Under 7.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Tampa Bay will win straight-up is 52%.

Toronto vs Tampa Bay Stats

Toronto Blue Jays

In the upcoming series opener, RHP Jose Berrios will be on the mound for the Blue Jays. Berrios recently pitched well against the Rays, with a 3.44 ERA and a 16-9 record for the season. However, he has been more vulnerable on the road. In September, Berrios has been particularly sharp, with a 1.38 ERA and strong performance against batters. Toronto's offense has been averaging 4.32 runs per game, with a strong showing in doubles. They rank 19th in offense, 22nd in defense, and have a record of 72-80 this season.

Tampa Bay Rays Analysis

The Tampa Bay Rays have not yet announced their starting pitcher for game one. The team's pitching staff ranks 11th in the league with a 3.86 ERA, but has struggled on the road with a higher ERA and a decline in strikeout rate. They have been susceptible to allowing home runs, but excel in ball control with top 10 rankings in walks and strikeouts per game. The key for the Rays will be performing well with hitters in scoring position. Offensively, the Rays average 3.81 runs per game and rank 27th in batting average. They have had difficulty hitting home runs and extra base hits, particularly at home. The offense also struggles with strikeouts and leaving runners on base. Overall, the Rays have a power ranking of 13 and are ranked 29th in offense, 12th in defense, and have a record of 75-78. Toronto has recently won two out of three matchups against Tampa Bay.

Toronto Blue Jays' Strong Offense and Berrios' Performance Against Rays Make Them Favorable Bet Option

Berrios has demonstrated strong performance against the Rays and possesses a familiarity with their lineup. Additionally, the Toronto Blue Jays have exhibited a strong offensive presence throughout the initial weeks of September, contrasting with the underwhelming performance of the Rays. Toronto currently ranks within the top 10 for both walks received and strikeouts per game, indicating a high level of plate discipline that may facilitate the scoring of pivotal runs in this matchup. Considering these factors, it appears that Toronto ML may be a favorable option for bettors.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ]