In this article we will formulate a Blue Jays vs Rays prediction for this MLB game on Thursday, July 23rd at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Toronto Blue Jays Betting Preview
The Toronto Blue Jays are 46-56 this season after they lost the first three games in this series by scores of 1-7, 2-12, and 2-4. In game three, Toronto led 1-0 in the first inning, but only scored one run in the last eight innings for the loss. The Blue Jays recorded four hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Kirk, who went 2-3 with one home run and one RBI. Miles allowed three hits and zero earned runs over 3.2 innings, while Hoffman picked up the loss in relief. Prior to this series, Toronto lost two out of three against the White Sox and two out of three against the Padres.
This season, Toronto has a 4.18 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP and a .243 opponent batting average, while they have scored 402 runs with a .241 batting average and a .302 on base percentage. Kazuma Okamoto has led the Blue Jays with 22 home runs and 62 RBIs, while Andres Gimenez has added seven home runs and 38 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Toronto is Shane Bieber, who is 1-1 with a 5.70 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP over 23.2 innings pitched this season.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays are 59-42 this year after they won game three by a score of 4-2 last night. Tampa Bay had their lead cut to 4-2 in the seventh inning, but they maintained that lead for the win. The Rays recorded eight hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Mesa Jr, who went 2-3 with two RBIs. Jax allowed three hits and one earned run over 6.0 innings for the win, while Baker picked up the save. Prior to this series, Tampa Bay lost all four against the Red Sox, but did win two out of three against the Mariners before that.
This season, Tampa Bay has a 3.84 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP and a .233 opponent batting average, while they have scored 458 runs with a .261 batting average and a .334 on base percentage. Jonathan Aranda has led the Rays with 14 home runs and 65 RBIs, while Junior Caminero has added 29 home runs and 62 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Ian Seymour, who is 6-2 with a 4.79 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP over 67.2 innings pitched this year.
Why the Toronto Blue Jays will win
- The Blue Jays have won each of their last eight Thursday games as underdogs against American League opponents.
- The Rays have lost seven of their last eight games as road favorites against AL East opponents.
- The Rays have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight games as road favorites against AL East opponents.
- The Blue Jays have covered the run line in each of their last 17 Thursday games as underdogs.
- The Rays have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last four day games.
- The Rays have trailed after 5 innings in three of their last four day games.
Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win
- The Rays have won each of their last nine games as favorites against the Blue Jays following a win.
- The Blue Jays have lost 11 of their last 12 home games against American League opponents.
- The Blue Jays have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 13 games against American League opponents after playing the previous day.
- The road team has covered the run line in each of the Blue Jays’ last six games.
- The Rays have led after 3 innings in each of their last seven Thursday games against the Blue Jays.
- The Rays have won the first inning in three of their last four games as favorites against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.
- The Rays have led after 5 innings in each of their last eight Thursday day games against AL East opponents that held a losing record.
Total Runs Facts
- Six of the last seven games between the Rays and Blue Jays at Rogers Centre have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Five of the Rays’ last six day games against AL East opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in nine of the Blue Jays’ last 10 games as underdogs against American League opponents.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in seven of the Rays’ last eight day games against AL East opponents.
Toronto Blue Jays Player Prop Facts
- Alejandro Kirk has hit at least one home run in three of his last four appearances against the Rays.
- Shane Bieber has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his six previous Thursday appearances against teams that held a winning record.
- Alejandro Kirk has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight home appearances against AL East opponents.
- Shane Bieber has recorded a win in three of his last four appearances against the Rays.
- Ernie Clement ranks 5th in the league in Hits (113) this season.
Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts
- Victor Mesa Jr. has hit a home run in four of his last five appearances after playing the previous day.
- Ian Seymour has recorded seven or more strikeouts in three of his last four appearances with the Rays as favorites.
- Jonathan Aranda has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 12 appearances with the Rays as road favorites against AL East opponents.
- Ian Seymour has recorded a win in three of his last four appearances with the Rays as favorites.
- Yandy Diaz ranks 4th in the league in Hits (116) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Blue Jays rank 30th in the league for runs scored this season (400).
- The Blue Jays rank 30th in the league for runs scored this season (400).
- The Rays rank 1st in the league for strikeouts against this season (715).
- The Rays rank 1st in the league for strikeouts against this season (715).
Blue Jays vs Rays Prediction
Tampa Bay comes into this matchup looking for the four game sweep and they have allowed two runs or fewer in the first three games. The Rays are 24-27 on the road this year, while the Blue Jays are 25-30 at home. Toronto has lost four in a row and they have really struggled over the last two weeks. The Blue Jays are starting Bieber, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his last four starts, while Seymour has allowed 11 earned runs in his last 11.2 innings. Take the Blue Jays to win here.