The Tampa Bay Rays and the Toronto Blue Jays will wrap up their holiday weekend series with a Sunday showdown at Rogers Centre.
After dropping the first two games of this series on the road, Tampa roared back with a sweep of the Saturday doubleheader. Can it keep the momentum going in the rubber match? Find out in our free MLB betting picks and predictions for Rays vs. Blue Jays on Sunday, July 3.
Rays vs Blue Jays odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
The Blue Jays opened as -120 consensus favorites, and have promptly been bet up at most sites to the -135 range. The total has remained steady at 8.5.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until first pitch and be sure to check out the full MLB odds before placing your bets.
Rays vs Blue Jays predictions
Picks made on 7/3/2022 at 8:30 a.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
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Rays vs Blue Jays game info
• Location: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
• Date: Sunday, July 3, 2022
• First pitch: 1:37 p.m. ET
• TV: Bally Sports, Sportsnet
Rays vs Blue Jays betting preview
Starting pitchers
Shane Baz (0-1, 3.38 ERA): Highly-touted prospect Shane Baz has made four appearances for the Rays thus far in 2022, and they’ve failed to win behind him in each instance. That comes despite Baz pitching to a 1.10 ERA over his last three efforts (16 1-3 innings). He made his professional debut against the Blue Jays last September, limiting them to two runs over five frames while striking out five with no walks.
Ross Stripling (4-2, 3.12 ERA): Ross Stripling had a highly successful month of June, authoring a 1.59 ERA over six outings. He currently boasts a career-best 1.08 WHIP through 57 2-3 innings. This will be his first start of the season against the Rays.
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our MLB weather info.
Betting trend to know
The Over is 8-1 in the Blue Jays' last nine home games with the total between 7.0 and 8.5. Find more MLB betting trends for Rays vs. Blue Jays
Rays vs Blue Jays picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Moneyline analysis
The Blue Jays look like the better bet in Sunday’s rubber match with the Rays.
Tampa taking the Saturday twin-bill was out of character for it, as it's now just 3-9 in its last 12 games against teams with winning records. The Rays were very fortunate to see Kevin Gausman leave early in the Saturday matinee with an ankle injury, then were able to tee off on Triple-A mainstay Thomas Hatch in the night game.
Ross Stripling should be able to right the ship for Toronto if he can pick up where he left off in June, when he authored a 1.59 ERA. His 1.08 WHIP figures to intimidate a Rays lineup that’s 25th in OPS (.677) on the campaign.
The Blue Jays’ lineup will square off with the unproven but promising Shane Baz in this spot. Even if they struggle with him, the Jays know they’ll likely get a heavy dose of the Rays’ bullpen, which hasn’t been as good as it normally is over the last two weeks. In fact, Tampa ranks 26th with a 5.07 ERA in that span.
Look for Teoscar Hernandez — who already has six hits in this series — to be a difference-maker for the Blue Jays, who are 41-18 in their last 59 games following a loss.
Prediction: Blue Jays moneyline (-129 at BetRivers)
Over/Under analysis
Toronto’s lineup may be the better of the two in this matchup, but Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and company won’t be able to rest on their laurels in this one. Look for this game to sail Over the total.
The Rays’ bats should be able to take advantage of a Blue Jays' bullpen that’s 22nd in the majors by ERA this year at 4.35. Harold Ramirez has seven hits in this series — three for extra bases — and Yandy Diaz is close behind him in production with six singles and a double.
Isaac Paredes is suddenly one of the biggest power threats in the AL, with three homers in this series alone and eight since June 21, so Jays' pitchers will have to handle him with caution too.
Toronto has plated 20 runs through the first four games of this series, with Lourdes Gurriel Jr. accounting for a team-high four of them. Santiago Espinal is close behind with three runs recorded, and has five hits to his credit as well. Bo Bichette also has five hits, with three going for extra bases.
Trend bettors should note that the Over is 7-1 in the Rays’ last eight games against teams with winning records, and 5-1 in their last six overall. The Over is 17-4 in Toronto’s last 21 home games.
Prediction: Over 8.5 (-114 at FanDuel)
Best bet
Over bettors should have a relatively easy time cashing in on this bet, as the line seems somewhat generous.
Both of these bullpens have been tested over the last four games, and attrition is bound to happen. Hitters typically catch on to relievers when they’ve seen them multiple times in a series.
The Rays — 25th in baseball in home runs allowed per game — face a Blue Jays team that’s fifth in home runs hit per contest. As hot as the Toronto lineup has been of late, a potential homer or two figures to come with runners on base, which will help push this game past the total.
Pick: Over 8.5 (-114 at FanDuel)
