In this article we will formulate a Rays vs Blue Jays prediction for this MLB game on Thursday, September 18th at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays are 74-78 this season after they lost two of the first three games in this series by scores of 1-2, 5-6, and 2-1. In their game three win, Tampa Bay led 1-0 in the first inning, but only scored one run over the last seven innings in the victory. The Rays recorded eight hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Simpson and Diaz, who both had one RBI in the win. Tampa Bay started Seymour, who allowed four hits and zero earned runs over 7.0 innings for the win, while Fairbanks picked up the save.
Prior to this series, the Rays lost two out of three against the Cubs and two out of three against the White Sox. Tampa Bay has lost six of their last eight games and they are fourth in the AL East standings. The Tampa Bay pitching staff has a 3.86 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP and a .236 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 675 runs with a .251 batting average and a .313 on base percentage this season. Junior Caminero has led Tampa Bay with 44 home runs and 108 RBIs, while Brandon Lowe has added 29 home runs and 79 RBIs for the Rays this year. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Shane Baz, who is 9-12 with a 5.15 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP over 157.1 innings pitched this season.
Toronto Blue Jays Betting Preview
The Toronto Blue Jays are 89-63 this year after they lost game three by a score of 2-1 on Wednesday night. Toronto tied the game at one in the fourth inning, but failed to score anymore runs in the defeat. The Blue Jays recorded four hits in the game and they were led by Kirk, who went 0-3 with one RBI in the loss. Toronto started Gausman, who allowed six hits and one earned run over 6.0 innings, while Rodriguez picked up the loss in relief.
Prior to this series, the Blue Jays won all three against the Orioles and two out of three against the Astros. Toronto has won six of their last seven games and they are currently first in the AL East standings. The Toronto pitching staff has a 4.12 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP and a .238 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 758 runs with a .269 batting average and a .336 on base percentage this season. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has led Toronto with 23 home runs and 81 RBIs, while George Springer has added 29 home runs and 78 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Toronto is Chris Bassitt, who is 11-8 with a 3.90 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP over 166.0 innings pitched this year.
Why the Blue Jays will beat the Rays
- The Rays have lost each of their last six day games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Blue Jays have won six of their last seven games.
- The Rays have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight day games against American League opponents.
- The Blue Jays have covered the run line in each of their last eight Thursday road games.
- The Rays have trailed after 3 innings in four of their last five day games against AL East opponents.
- The Rays have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last five day games against AL East opponents.
Total Runs Facts
- Five of the Blue Jays’ last six road games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Four of the Rays’ last five home games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rays’ last eight home games against AL East opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Blue Jays’ last five games at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts
- Taylor Walls has recorded a Double in each of his last three appearances against AL East opponents.
- Brandon Lowe has hit at least one home run in four of his last six appearances against the Blue Jays.
- Taylor Walls has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine appearances against AL East opponents that held a winning record.
Toronto Blue Jays Player Prop Facts
- Chris Bassitt has recorded six or more strikeouts in four of his last five appearances.
- Daulton Varsho has hit a home run in three of his last four appearances with the Blue Jays as road favorites.
- Bo Bichette has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 17 appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
- Ernie Clement has recorded a Double in five of his last six road appearances.
Rays vs Blue Jays Prediction
Toronto had their winning streak snapped on Wednesday night in game three of this series and the Yankees won, so their lead in the East is down to four games. The Blue Jays are 39-38 on the road this season, while the Rays are 39-38 at home. Tampa Bay is trying to hold off Baltimore to stay out of the AL East basement and they are starting Baz, who has allowed 5, 2, 0, 3, and 6 earned runs in his last five starts. Toronto is going with Bassitt, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in five straight outings. Take the Blue Jays to win here.