Toronto Blue Jays (1-1) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (1-1)
March 30, 2024 4:10 pm EDT
The Line: Tampa Bay Rays -143 / Toronto Blue Jays +121; Over/Under: +8.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Toronto Blue Jays and the Tampa Bay Rays meet Saturday in MLB action from Tropicana Field. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Toronto Blue Jays vs. Tampa Bay Rays prediction.
Toronto Blue Jays Team Preview
The Toronto Blue Jays will be out to rebound from an 8-2 loss to the Rays in their first loss of the season last time out. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leads the Jays with 3 hits including a solo home run while George Springer has a pair of solo home runs. Alejandro Kirk leads the Blue Jays with 3 RBIs so far this year while Bo Bichette and Justin Turner each have a double and Kevin Kiermaier has a team-high 3 strikeouts through two games. Yusei Kikuchi will get the start for the Blue Jays and was 11-6 with a 3.86 ERA and 181 strikeouts last season. The Blue Jays will meet the Astros after this series.
Toronto Blue Jays Team Facts
- The Blue Jays have won seven of their last eight games as road underdogs against AL East opponents following a loss.
- The Blue Jays have covered the run line in each of their last eight Saturday road games against AL East opponents.
- The Blue Jays have lost the first inning in each of their last five day games against AL East opponents.
- The Blue Jays have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last four games against AL East opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Blue Jays’ last five day games against AL East opponents.
Tampa Bay Rays Team Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays come into this one looking to build on their first win of the season after Friday’s victory. Yandy Diaz has a team-high 5 hits with a double, a home run and 4 RBIs with a .556 batting average while Brandon Lowe also has a home run and 4 RBIs as part of his 3 hits so far this season. Jose Siri, Randy Arozarena, Lowe and Isaac Paredes each have a team-high 3 strikeouts as well up to this point in the year. Zack Littell will start this one for the Rays and was 3-6 with a 4.10 ERA and 74 strikeouts last season. The Rays will face the Rangers following this series.
Tampa Bay Rays Team Facts
- The Rays have lost each of their last four games as home favorites against American League opponents following a win.
- The Rays have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine games at Tropicana Field.
- The Rays have trailed after 7 innings in four of their last five games as home favorites against American League opponents.
- The Rays have won the first inning in each of their last eight day games against AL East opponents.
- The Rays have led after 3 innings in each of their last four games against AL East opponents.
Blue Jays vs. Rays Prediction
I’m on the Blue Jays here. Kikuchi was one of the nice turnaround stories in the league last year after a disastrous 2022 campaign, and I’m still not 100% sold on Littell if I’m being honest. The Rays are always going to be a tough out at the Trop, but the Blue Jays still have a potent lineup and I think they can get to Littell and get their second win in this one. Give me Toronto here.
