The Toronto Blue Jays and the Tampa Bay Rays meet Friday in MLB action from Tropicana Field. This will be the second installment in a four-game series over the weekend. In the Thursday opener, Tampa Bay secured a five-run win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Toronto played a couple versus the Phillies this week, winning Tuesday 18-11 but falling 4-3 in game two. On Thursday versus Tampa, the Jays gave up six runs in the first two innings in a 10-5 loss. Starting pitcher Jose Berrios gave up the six in 2.0 frames with seven hits and a walk.
Mitch White will take the mound for the Jays on Friday. White is 1-6 with a 5.05 ERA and 71 Ks.
Over on the Rays’ side, they played the Astros this week and fell in a sweep 4-0, 5-0 and 5-2. On Thursday Tampa Bay out-hit the Jays 12-8 in the win. Ryan Yarbrough gave up two earned on three hits and a walk in 1.0 innings pitched.
Jeffrey Springs will take the mound for the start on Friday. Across his 30 games (22 starts), Springs is 9-4 with a 2.45 ERA. In 121.1 innings total he has 33 earned on 103 hits and 29 walks with 130 Ks.
PICK: I’m likely staying with Tampa Bay. Springs is on a pretty solid run this month. In his last three outings he’s posted a combed two earned runs in 14.2 innings on 10 hits and three walks. Springs is 2-0 in that time. If he’s going to get another victory here, he’ll need some help from the Rays offense—which is something of a big ask coming off that Astros series. Still, I think Tampa will be okay by the time Springs leaves the mound.
