The Tampa Bay Rays (51-50) travel to face off against the Toronto Blue Jays (45-55) on Wednesday, July 24th. This game will be played at Rogers Centre in Toronto and televised on BSSUN. The Rays are coming off a win in their previous game, while the Blue Jays are looking to get back on track from a loss to the Rays. First pitch is set for 6:07 CT.
Rays vs. Blue Jays Betting Prediction
- Money Line Prediction: Blue Jays (-101)
- Over/Under Prediction: Over 8 Runs
- The Blue Jays have scored 5 or more runs in 6 of their last 15 games, showing their potential for high offensive output.
- In their last 15 games, the Blue Jays have a record of 7-8, which includes a recent win against the Tigers at home, indicating they can perform well at home.
- The Blue Jays have a better home record (22-27) compared to the Rays’ away record (24-23), suggesting a home-field advantage.
- In head-to-head matchups this season, the Blue Jays have won 3 out of 7 games against the Rays, showing they can compete effectively against them.
- The Blue Jays have scored 9 runs in a game twice in their last 15 games, demonstrating their ability to have explosive offensive performances.
Rays vs Blue Jays
Tampa Bay picked up a 4-2 road win over the Blue Jays in the most recent game of this series. The Rays had a two-run 5th inning and added an insurance run in the 7th, while the Blue Jays scored their only two runs in the 6th. Heading into the game, the Rays were at +113 on the money line.
Shawn Armstrong only went two innings for the Rays but didn’t give up a run and struck out four. He picked up a win in the game, while Pete Fairbanks got the save. Jose Berrios had a rough outing for the Blue Jays, giving up three earned runs in just 4 2/3 innings of work.
Brandon Lowe and Justin Turner each homered for their respective teams. Lowe, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Teoscar Hernandez each had two RBIs for the Blue Jays’ offense.
Currently, the Rays are 4th in the AL East with a 51-50 record, trailing the Orioles by 9.5 games. They have a 15-20 record in AL East matchups this season. Tampa Bay has been the favorite in 53 games, posting a 28-25 record in those matchups, while they are 23-25 as underdogs. The Rays are leading the Blue Jays in their series and have an overall series record of 16-12-3.
On the run line, the Rays are 28-19 on the road and 20-33 as favorites. Their games this season have averaged 8.5 runs, and their O/U record is 48-48. When the O/U line is set at 8 runs, the Rays have a 11-14-1 record, and 40.6% of their games have had higher total lines than today’s 8 runs.
Zach Eflin Gets The Start For The Rays
Zach Eflin gets the start for the Rays today as he faces the Blue Jays on the road. So far this season, he has made 18 starts and has a record of 5-7 with an ERA of 4.14. Eflin’s WHIP for the season is currently 1.17. In his last outing, he took the loss, giving up four earned runs in five innings of work vs. the Yankees. Before that, he had won two straight starts. Eflin has a total of six quality starts this season and is averaging 7.16 strikeouts per nine innings. For the year, he has allowed 13 homers.
Rays Offense Breakdown
Heading into today’s game, the Rays are 27th in the league in runs per game at 3.9, and they have been even worse at home, averaging just 3.7 runs per contest. As a team, they are batting just .234, which is 19th in the league, and are also near the bottom of the league in terms of home runs. Tampa Bay does have the 8th fewest strikeouts in the league.
Isaac Paredes has been the Rays’ top power threat this season, as his 16 homers are 1st on the team and 14th in the league. However, he is batting just .250. Yandy Diaz has been a bit better in the batting average department, hitting .273, and is 2nd on the team with eight homers. Tampa Bay will be looking for Randy Arozarena to keep his hot streak going, as he is 6/18 with three homers over his last five games.
After losing the first game of the series, the Blue Jays are looking to bounce back against the Rays, who are 9.5 games out of the AL East lead. Toronto’s overall series record is 11-14-6, and they have dropped two straight series. The Blue Jays are 5th in the AL East with a 45-55 record, 15 games behind the Orioles.
When the Blue Jays win, they win big, with an average run margin of +3.1 runs per game, but when they lose, they tend to lose by a wide margin, with an average run differential of -3.8 runs per game. Their run line record is 47-53, with a -0.7 run differential per game. On the run line, they have been better on the road at 32-19, compared to 15-34 at home.
Yariel Rodríguez Gets The Start For The Blue Jays
Through eight starts, Yariel Rodríguez has a record of 1-3 and an ERA of 3.78. He has made two quality starts this year and is coming off a start in which he didn’t give up an earned run. In that outing vs. the Mariners, he went six innings and gave up just one hit. Opponents are batting .220 off the right-hander this year, and his WHIP is 1.38. Looking back at his last four starts, Rodríguez has alternated between a win and a loss. The last time he had a decision, he finished with a no-decision. So, if the pattern holds, he would be due for a loss today vs. the Rays.
Blue Jays Offense Breakdown
Heading into today’s game, the Blue Jays offense is averaging 4 runs per game, which is only 25th in the MLB. They have been even worse at home, averaging just 3.9 runs per game. As a team, they are batting .236, which is 17th in the league, and their team on-base percentage of .310 is 13th. Toronto’s offense has been near the bottom of the league in terms of home runs and slugging percentage.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been one of the few bright spots in the Blue Jays lineup this season, as he is batting .293 with a team-high 60 RBIs and 17 homers. Guerrero Jr. has been especially hot of late, going 9/24 in his last six games with four homers and six RBIs. He also comes into the game on a five-game hitting streak. George Springer is 2nd on the team with 13 homers but is batting just .229 this season.
Rays vs Blue Jays Prediction
Our pick for today’s Rays vs. Blue Jays matchup is to take the Blue Jays on the money line at -101. We actually have the Blue Jays coming out on top by a score of 6-5, giving you a chance to take the over if you like, as the line is sitting at 8 runs.
Looking at the starting pitchers, Yariel Rodríguez is projected to finish with six strikeouts, which is good for 13th among starters. As for Zach Eflin, his projected strikeout total is just four, which is fourth worst among starters.
All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!
* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.
Last updated:July 24, 2024 Blue Jays, Rays