The Toronto Blue Jays and the Tampa Bay Rays meet Friday in MLB action from Tropicana Field. Here’s a Tampa Bay Rays vs Toronto Blue Jays prediction. This will be the first installment in a three-game series. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Rays vs Blue Jays pick.
Toronto Blue Jays Betting Preview
Toronto just finished up a set against the Texas Rangers. The Blue Jays lost 13-8 in the opener, then in game two took a 2-0 loss. In the finale, Toronto bagged seven hits in a 4-0 shutout victory. Kevin Gausman went 5.0 innings with no hits, one walk, and six Ks in the start.
In the starter slot for Friday, the Jays will go with Jose Berrios. So far Berrios is 16-9 with a 3.44 ERA in 30 starts. Over 242 career games (241 starts) Berrios is 99-75 with a 4.05 ERA.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
Over on the Rays’ side, they’re fresh off a series versus the rival Boston Red Sox. Tampa Bay won 8-3 on Tuesday. In game two the Rays lost 2-1. In the finale, Tampa posted a great pitching effort in a 2-0 shutout victory. Starter Zack Littell posted one hit, no walks, and seven Ks.
As starting pitcher for Friday the Rays are sending out Tyler Alexander. In 2024 Alexander is 6-5 with a 5.58 ERA in 21 games (seven starts). He’s 17-28 with a 4.65 ERA in 141 career games (50 starts).
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Rays’ last seven games after playing the previous day has gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Five of the Blue Jays’ last six road games against AL East opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rays’ last six games.
Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts
- Josh Lowe has recorded a single in each of the Rays’ last five games against AL East opponents that held a losing record.
- Brandon Lowe has hit a home run in three of his last four appearances against the Blue Jays after playing the previous day.
- Josh Lowe has recorded a Double in each of the Rays’ last three home games against opponents that held a losing record.
- Josh Lowe has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Rays’ last three games against the Blue Jays.
- Yandy Diaz has recorded at least one hit in each of the Rays’ last eight Friday games against AL East opponents that held a losing record.
- Yandy Diaz has recorded at least one total base in each of the Rays’ last eight Friday games against AL East opponents that held a losing record.
- Jose Siri has scored a run in four of his last five appearances.
Toronto Blue Jays Player Prop Facts
- George Springer has hit a home run in three of the Blue Jays’ last five road games against the Rays.
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has recorded a Double in seven of the Blue Jays’ last nine road games against AL East opponents.
- Jose Berrios has recorded a win in each of his last seven appearances.
- Ernie Clement has recorded at least one RBI in seven of his last eight appearances in night games against teams that held a losing record.
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has recorded at least one hit in each of the Blue Jays’ last 25 games against AL East opponents.
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has recorded at least one total base in each of the Blue Jays’ last 25 games against AL East opponents.
- Jose Berrios has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his last nine appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
- George Springer has scored at least one run in six of the Blue Jays’ last seven games at Tropicana Field.
- Ernie Clement has recorded at least one Single in each of the Blue Jays’ last eight night games.
Tampa Bay Rays vs Toronto Blue Jays Prediction
I’ll lean toward Toronto. Berrios is on quite a run these days. Over his last three starts, Berrios is 3-0 with just two earned over 19.0 combined innings on 10 hits and four walks. He should be good for a quality start on Friday if all goes well.
On Thursday the Jays had a good pitching outing behind Gausman (4.0 innings, two hits, no walks; four Ks). The bats did pretty well too, but mostly from Vladimir Guerrero (three hits; three runs; two solo homers). I like Toronto to keep it rolling on Friday.