In this article we will formulate a Toronto Blue Jays vs Tampa Bay Rays betting prediction for this MLB game on Friday, March 29th at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. To formulate this prediction, we will examine:
- The Blue Jays recent form and recent player performance
- The Rays recent form and recent play performance
- Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Toronto
- Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Tampa Bay
- Recent betting trends in games played between Toronto and Tampa Bay
- A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for Today’s Game between Toronto and Tampa Bay
Blue Jays Preview
The Toronto Blue Jays are 1-0 this year after they defeated the Rays by a score of 8-2 in their first game. Toronto allowed the first run of the game, and they trailed 1-0 into the fourth inning, but they exploded for the next six runs to pull away for the win. The Blue Jays got home runs from Springer, Biggio, and Guerrero Jr., while getting RBI singles from Kirk and Kiermaier. Toronto added on in the seventh inning when Bichette had a two run double. The Blues Jays recorded seven hits, and they drew seven walks in the game. Jose Berrios threw six innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits. The projected starting pitcher for this game is Chris Bassitt, who was 16-8 with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP over 200 innings pitched last year. The Blue Jays will meet the Astros after this series.
Rays Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays are 0-1 this season after losing to Toronto by a score of 8-2 in Game 1. Tampa Bay scored a run in the first inning, but they were only able to score one more time over the final eight innings in the loss. The Rays got a solo homer from Diaz in the first inning and an RBI double from Diaz in the sixth inning. Tampa Bay recorded eight hits in the game, but four players did fail to record a hit. The Rays had Eflin start on the mound, and he allowed six earned runs on six hits, then Armstrong allowed the other two runs out of the bullpen. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Aaron Civale, who was 7-5 with a 3.46 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP over 122.1 innings pitched last season. The Rays will face the Rangers and Rockies following this series.
Tampa Bay Rays Team Facts
- The Rays have won each of their last 10 night games against American League opponents following a home loss.
- The Rays have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight games at Tropicana Field.
- The Rays have led after 3 innings in each of their last three games against AL East opponents.
- The Rays have trailed after 7 innings in each of their last four games as home favorites against American League opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the last seven games between the Blue Jays and Rays at Tropicana Field.
Toronto Blue Jays Team Facts
- The Blue Jays have won each of their last six road games against AL East opponents that held a losing record.
- The Blue Jays have covered the run line in each of their last eight Friday games as underdogs.
- The Blue Jays have led after 7 innings in each of their last eight Friday games as underdogs.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Blue Jays’ last eight games as underdogs against AL East opponents.
- The Blue Jays have lost the first inning in each of their last six games against opponents that held a winning record at Tropicana Field.
Blue Jays vs Rays Betting Prediction
Toronto was able to have a big day at the plate in Game 1, and they overcame an early 1-0 deficit for the easy win. The Blue Jays should have a very solid offensive attack this season, while Tampa Bay almost always has good pitching. The Rays are going with Civale in this game, who really struggled after being traded from Cleveland last season. Toronto is going with Bassitt, who was very good last season and will look to carry that momentum into this start. I think this game could go either way, so I will take the plus money with the Blue Jays here.