Rays vs Blue Jays Prediction 8/18/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Rays vs Blue Jays prediction for this MLB game on Tuesday, August 18th 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 75-49 this season after they lost three out of four against the Orioles by scores of 5-6, 3-4, 2-10, and 7-6. In game four, Tampa Bay trailed 6-4 in the fifth inning, but they scored the last three runs to escape with the win. The Rays recorded 12 hits in the game and they were led by Mateo, who went 1-2 with one home run and two RBIs. McClanahan allowed four hits and three earned runs over 3.1 innings, while Booser got the win and Baker picked up the save. Prior to that series, Tampa Bay swept the Athletics in three games and swept the Mariners in three games. 

This season, Tampa Bay has a 3.78 ERA with a 1.15 WHIP and a .231 opponent batting average, while they have scored 566 runs with a .261 batting average and a .331 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 79 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Nick Martinez, who is 12-3 with a 2.74 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP over 138.0 innings pitched this season. 

Toronto Blue Jays Betting Preview

The Toronto Blue Jays are 61-65 this year after they won two out of three against the Yankees by scores of 3-1, 4-1, and 3-4. In game three, Toronto tied the game in the ninth inning, but they allowed two runs in the 10th for the loss. The Blue Jays recorded seven hits in the game and they were led by Gimenez, who went 2-4 with one RBI. Cease allowed two hits and two earned runs over 6.1 innings, while Fisher picked up the loss in relief. Prior to that series, Toronto won three out of four against the Red Sox and two out of three against the Phillies. 

This season, Toronto has a 3.95 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP and a .239 opponent batting average, while they have scored 492 runs with a .242 batting average and a .304 on base percentage. Kazuma Okamoto has led the Blue Jays with 24 home runs and 71 RBIs, while Andres Gimenez has added eight home runs and 49 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Toronto is Jose Soriano, who is 9-6 with a 3.16 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP over 133.2 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win

• The Rays have won each of their last 10 home games against the Blue Jays following a win.
• The Blue Jays have lost each of their last eight road games against the Rays following a loss.
• The Rays have covered the run line in each of their last six night games against AL East opponents following a home win.
• The Blue Jays have failed to cover the run line in each of their last three night games at Tropicana Field after going to extra innings.
• The Blue Jays have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last seven Tuesday games as underdogs.

Why the Toronto Blue Jays will win

• The Blue Jays have won each of their last seven games as underdogs following a loss.
• The Rays have lost five of their last six games as favorites against AL East opponents.
• The road team has covered the run line in each of the Rays’ last 17 games.
• The Rays have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight home games.
• The Rays have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last seven Tuesday games as home favorites.
• The Rays have trailed after 5 innings in five of their last six games as favorites against AL East opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Seven of the Rays’ last eight games as favorites against American League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Each of the Blue Jays’ last five games as road underdogs have gone OVER the total runs line.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the Blue Jays’ last six night games against American League opponents.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in nine of the Rays’ last 10 home games against AL East opponents.

Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts

• Ryan Vilade has hit a home run in three of his last four home appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
• Nick Martinez has recorded four or more strikeouts in three of his last four appearances.
• Taylor Walls has recorded at least one hit in each of the Rays’ last eight games.
• Nick Martinez has recorded a win in each of his last five appearances against AL East opponents that held a losing record.
• Chandler Simpson ranks 2nd in the league in Steals (35) this season.

Toronto Blue Jays Player Prop Facts

• Alejandro Kirk has hit at least one home run in three of his last five appearances against the Rays.
• Jose Soriano has recorded five or more strikeouts in seven of his last nine appearances against AL opponents that held a winning record.
• Alejandro Kirk has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 13 appearances against AL East opponents that held a winning record.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Rays rank 1st in the league for batting average this season (.261).
• The Rays rank 1st in the league for strikeouts against this season (883).
• The Blue Jays rank 30th in the league for triples this season (7).
• The Blue Jays rank 30th in the league for RBIs this season (470).

Rays vs Blue Jays Prediction 

Tampa Bay was able to avoid getting swept with a win on Monday night, but they have allowed 6+ runs in three of their last four games. The Rays are 42-21 at home this year, while the Blue Jays are 28-32 on the road. Toronto has won three of their last five games and they are battling for a wild card spot. The Blue Jays are starting Soriano, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four straight outings, while Martinez has allowed 4, 0, 6, 0, and 1 earned run in his last five starts. Take the Blue Jays to win here.