Toronto Blue Jays at Tampa Bay Rays picks, odds and predictions
The Toronto Blue Jays (86-68) and the Tampa Bay Rays (94-61) play the 2nd contest of a 3-game series Saturday at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Blue Jays vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: tied 4-4
The Blue Jays picked up a 6-2 victory Friday in the series opener as a moderate +137 underdog as the Over (7.5) just came in. Toronto has won 6 of the past 7 games to position itself well in the hunt for an AL Wild Card spot. The Jays are a full game clear of the Houston Astros for the 2nd wild-card spot, and 1 1/2 games up on the Seattle Mariners with 8 games remaining.
The Rays have already clinched a berth in the playoffs but they’re still in the hunt for the AL East title. Tampa trails the Baltimore Orioles by 1 1/2 games, although the O’s have a game in hand.
Blue Jays at Rays projected starters
LHP Hyun Jin Ryu vs. RHP Zack Littell
Ryu (3-3, 2.62 ERA) makes his 10th start. He has a 1.12 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 7.1 K/9 in 44 2/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 4 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 2 K in 3-2 home win vs. Boston Red Sox last Sunday
- 2023 road splits: 1-1, 1.89 ERA (19 IP, 4 ER), 2 HR, .186 OBA in 4 starts
Littell (3-6, 4.12 ERA) makes his 14th start and 27th appearance. He has a 1.15 WHIP, 1.0 BB/9 and 7.3 K/9 in 83 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 4 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 3 K in 5-4 road loss in 11 innings vs. Baltimore Orioles Sunday
- 2023 home splits: 1-2, 4.95 ERA (36 1/3 IP, 20 ER), 8 HR, .269 OBA in 5 starts and 6 relief appearances
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Blue Jays at Rays odds
BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:03 a.m. ET.
Blue Jays at Rays picks and predictions
Prediction
Blue Jays 5, Rays 4
The BLUE JAYS (+115) are a solid value on the road as they look for the 2nd straight victory in the series. Toronto has been hot, winning 6 of the past 7 games overall. Ryu has tremendous road splits too, allowing just 4 runs in 19 IP this season.
The Rays have struggled recently, winning just twice in the past 6 games overall, including just 2 wins in their last 5 as a favorite.
The BLUE JAYS +1.5 (-175) aren’t priced out of line if you can’t pick Toronto straight up, and you want a little bit of insurance.
Toronto is 13-3 in the past 16 games on the run line as an underdog and is 3-3 on the run line as a ‘dog against the Ray this season.
The OVER 8 (-110) is the lean, but go lightly.
The Over has cashed in all 5 meetings at the Trop this season. The Over is also 5-2 in the past 7 starts by Ryu, including 2 of the past 3 outings on the road.
The Over has cashed in 3 in a row for the Rays and is 6-0-1 in their past 7 games at Tropicana Field.
