Toronto Blue Jays (1-2) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (2-1)
March 31, 2024 1:40 pm EDT
The Line: Tampa Bay Rays -115 / Toronto Blue Jays +105; Over/Under: +8.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Toronto Blue Jays and the Tampa Bay Rays meet Sunday 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 look to salvage a series split with the Rays after a 5-1 loss in Saturday’s matchup. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leads the Jays with 4 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 5 strikeouts through three games. Kevin Gausman will get the start for Toronto here and was 12-9 with a 3.16 ERA and 237 strikeouts last season. The Blue Jays will meet the Astros after this series.
Tampa Bay Rays Team Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays will look to win the series after their triumph over Toronto last time out. Yandy Diaz has a team-high 5 hits with a double, a home run and 5 RBIs with a .417 batting average while Brandon Lowe also has a home run and 4 RBIs as part of his 3 hits so far this season. Randy Arozarena also has 4 hits with a home run and two RBIs and Jose Siri leads the Rays with 5 strikeouts so far this season. Shawn Armstrong will get the nod for the Rays in this one and is 0-0 with a 13.50 ERA and 2 strikeouts this season. The Rays will face the Rangers following this series.
Tampa Bay Rays Team Facts
- The Rays have won 16 of their last 18 home games against AL East opponents that held a losing record.
- The Rays have covered the run line in each of their last seven games as underdogs after playing the previous day.
- The Rays have led after 7 innings in each of their last four games against AL East opponents that held a losing record.
- The Rays have won the first inning in each of their last three Sunday games as underdogs.
- The Rays have led after 3 innings in each of their last five games against AL East opponents.
Toronto Blue Jays Team Facts
- The Blue Jays have lost eight of their last 10 games as road favorites against AL East opponents.
- The Blue Jays have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven games as favorites against American League opponents following a road loss.
- The Blue Jays have trailed after 7 innings in six of their last eight games as road favorites against AL East opponents.
- The Blue Jays have lost the first inning in each of their last five games at Tropicana Field against American League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Blue Jays have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last five games against AL East opponents.
Blue Jays vs. Rays Prediction
I’m rolling with the Jays here. I just am not as sold on the Rays’ bullpen as I once was with respect to the opener role. Once the Rays have the lead, guys like Poche and Fairbanks are among some of the best in the league. However, I think Kevin Gausman is one of the better starters in the AL and more often than not he puts the Jays in a good position if the bats are clicking, which I think they will be here. I think we have a split on our hands. Give me the Blue Jays.
