Every series between American League East Division opponents will be vital for the MLB standings.
With the New York Yankees running away with the division early in the year, the other teams are stuck in a battle for the three Wild Cards, which are now currently occupied by teams from the AL East.
The Tampa Bay Rays will be especially eager to try and start stacking wins when they open a five-game series in Toronto Friday night.
Tampa Bay hasn’t been good away from home this season, compiling a 23-17 record. Not playing well away from home isn’t a good recipe against the Blue Jays, who are eight games over .500 in their home venue.
Last game records
Tampa Bay lost to Milwaukee 5-3 Thursday night at home. The Rays are 40-34. Toronto lost to Boston 6-3 in 10 innings Thursday night at home. Toronto is 42-33.
Matchup Information
Rays at Blue Jays Betting Analysis
Tampa Bay Analysis
Anyone making MLB picks today will see that Tampa Bay left-handed pitcher Jeffrey Springs is off to a strong start this season.
While the Rays have won Springs’ last five starts, Springs has only earned the decision in a 6-0 win over Minnesota on June 12. Springs is 3-2 this season with a 2.25 ERA. He has struck out 65 batters in 60 innings of work.
What has hurt the Rays the most is their offense. Tampa Bay just hasn’t hit the ball enough to threaten anyone in the league, let alone the teams in their division.
The Rays were 25th in the league in runs per game, scoring 4.03 runs per game. Tampa Bay hits .234 as a team, which ranks 24th, while the Rays have hit 67 home runs, which ranks 23rd in the league.
Anyone who looks at MLB matchups will see that Isaac Paredes has provided power for the Rays, leading the team with ten home runs. Yandy Diaz leads the team with a .266 batting average, while Ji-Man Choi leads the Rays by driving in 35 RBIs.
Toronto Analysis
MLB stats show Toronto’s left-handed pitcher, Yusei Kikuchi, has had a tough time recently. Kikuchi hasn’t thrown more than 4.2 innings in an outing since May.
In his last appearance, a 5-4 loss to Milwaukee last Saturday, Kikuchi allowed six hits and five runs. The Blue Jays have lost in four of Kikuchi’s starts.
Toronto’s offense has been based on its power. The Blue Jays have put 99 balls over the fences so far this season, which ranks fifth in the league.
Vladimir Guerreo Jr. leads Toronto with 18 home runs. George Springer (15 home runs) and Matt Chapman have also provided pop for the Blue Jays’ offense.
Toronto’s pitching staff has been strong as well, compiling a 3.23 ERA as a unit, which ranks fourth in the league. The Toronto Blue Jays have received 25 quality starts from their pitching staff, which ranks 17th in the league.
Updates
Rays’ pitcher Rayn Thompson won’t travel to Canada for the series against Toronto as he will be on the restricted list to vaccination status.
- Tampa Bay is 34-40 against the run line.
- Toronto is 33-41 against the run line.
- The over is 32-37-5 in the Rays games this season.
- The over is 40-33-1 in the Blue Jays’ games this season.
- Tampa Bay is 18-15 straight up following a loss.
- Toronto is 22-10 straight up following a loss.
Rays at Blue Jays Betting Preview
We should be in for an exciting match, but bookmakers are yet to post any odds at the time of writing, so keep an eye out for MLB odds on this contest.
Rays at Blue Jays Betting Prediction
Tampa Bay has struggled to hit at a decent clip this season to support its usually excellent pitching.
While Toronto hasn’t been the best on the mound, the Blue Jays’ lineup is filled with players who are a threat to put the ball out of the ballpark during any at-bat. Considering Toronto is at home, the Blue Jays will want to open this five-game series with a good start.
Expect Toronto to score a win and open this five-game set with a positive result.
How to bet Rays at Blue Jays
Bet Toronto to win the series opener.
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