Rays vs Blue Jays Prediction 8/20/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Rays vs Blue Jays prediction for this MLB game on Thursday, August 20th at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays are 76-50 this year after they split the first two games by scores of 5-10 and 7-6. In game two, Tampa Bay led 7-1 in the fourth inning, but they didn’t score in the last four innings and nearly blew the lead. The Rays recorded eight hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Diaz, who went 1-3 with one home run and two RBIs. Rasmussen allowed seven hits and five earned runs over 5.0 innings for the win, while Baker picked up the save. Prior to this series, Tampa Bay lost three out of four against the Orioles, but did win all three against the Athletics before that. 

This season, Tampa Bay has a 3.85 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP and a .233 opponent batting average, while they have scored 578 runs with a .262 batting average and a .332 on base percentage. Jonathan Aranda has led the Rays with 15 home runs and 76 RBIs, while Junior Caminero has added 35 home runs and 80 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Ian Seymour, who is 9-3 with a 4.11 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP over 96.1 innings pitched this year. 

Toronto Blue Jays Betting Preview

The Toronto Blue Jays are 62-66 this season after they lost game two by a score of 6-7 last night. Toronto cut the deficit to 7-6 in the sixth inning, but couldn’t find the tying run in the loss. The Blue Jays recorded nine hits in the game and they were led by Kirk, who went 2-5 with one home run and two RBIs. Scherzer allowed five hits and seven earned runs over 4.0 innings for the loss, while Rogers threw a scoreless inning in relief. Prior to this series, Toronto won two out of three against the Yankees and three out of four against the Red Sox. 

This season, Toronto has a 3.99 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP and a .240 opponent batting average, while they have scored 508 runs with a .244 batting average and a .305 on base percentage. Kazuma Okamoto has led the Blue Jays with 25 home runs and 73 RBIs, while Andres Gimenez has added eight home runs and 49 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Toronto is Shane Bieber, who is 4-2 with a 4.99 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP over 48.2 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win

• The Blue Jays have lost each of their last nine games against the Rays following a road loss.
• The Rays have won 10 of their last 11 home games against the Blue Jays following a win.
• The Blue Jays have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six games against the Rays following a road loss.
• The Rays have covered the run line in five of their last six day games against AL East opponents following a home win.
• The Blue Jays have trailed after 3 innings in four of their last five day games against American League opponents.
• The Blue Jays have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last five road day games.

Why the Toronto Blue Jays will win

• The Blue Jays have won each of their last 10 games following a loss.
• The Rays have lost each of their last six day games against AL East opponents.
• The road team has covered the run line in each of the Rays’ last 19 games.
• The Rays have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 10 home games.
• The Rays have trailed after 5 innings in five of their last six day games against AL East opponents.
• The Rays have trailed after 3 innings in five of their last six day games against AL East opponents.
• The Blue Jays have won the first inning in three of their last four games against the Rays.

Total Runs Facts

• Eight of the Rays’ last nine games have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Seven of the Blue Jays’ last eight road games have gone OVER the total runs line.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the last five games between the Blue Jays and Rays.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in five of the Blue Jays’ last six day games against American League opponents.

Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts

• Yandy Diaz has hit a home run in two of the Rays’ last three games.
• Ian Seymour has recorded a win in three of his last four appearances.
• Chandler Simpson has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 14 appearances after playing the previous day.

Toronto Blue Jays Player Prop Facts

• Shane Bieber has recorded a win in each of his last four appearances against AL opponents.
• Alejandro Kirk has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 15 appearances against AL East opponents that held a winning record.
• Alejandro Kirk has hit a home run in three of the Blue Jays’ last four games against the Rays.
• Shane Bieber has recorded six or more strikeouts in 20 of his last 25 road appearances against AL opponents that held a winning record.

Rays vs Blue Jays Prediction 

Tampa Bay was able to even this series at one with a win on Wednesday and they have scored 5+ runs in three straight games. The Rays are 43-22 at home this year, while the Blue Jays are 29-33 on the road. Toronto has won three of their last five games and they have scored 16 in their last two. The Blue Jays are starting Bieber, who has allowed 1, 5, 1, 4, and 1 earned run in his last five starts, while Seymour has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five starts. Take the over here, as I think the higher scoring will continue.