The surging Tampa Bay Rays go for the sweep this afternoon against a Toronto Blue Jays team stumbling from one setback to the next.
Yesterday was another gut punch for the Blue Jays as they blew a 4-0 lead against their AL East rivals and lost to a Jonny DeLuca two-run dinger, but they’re the slightest of favorites here in the latest MLB odds as they try to snap a three-game skid.
By contrast, Tampa Bay has won four on the spin, and I dig into the visitors’ chances of extending that run in my free Rays vs. Blue Jays predictions and MLB picks below.
Rays vs Blue Jays prediction
My best bet
Over 8.5 (+100 at PROLINE+)
My analysis
Toronto’s offensive woes have been well documented in an underwhelming first 40+ games, but there’s something about facing the Tampa Bay Rays that seems to spark high-scoring contests.
Those outcomes haven't gone in the Toronto Blue Jays’ favor, with the Rays winning four of the last five matchups, but the Over is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings.
With Aaron Civale and Alek Manoah on the mound today, I see that trend continuing, and the Over jumps off the screen as a must-have MLB pick.
Civale drags a 5.83 ERA into this contest. The Rays have lost four of his last five starts and he’s given up 3+ earned runs in five of his past six outings. Though he pitched well against Toronto in the season-opening series, he’s looked shaky over the past month.
That paints a grim picture for Tampa Bay, but Toronto has its own uncertainty around which version of Manoah will show up. He’s only got two starts under his belt in 2024 and gave up seven runs in four innings on May 5, though he was sharper last weekend against the Twins.
Of course, it’s fair to wonder if the bats can take advantage, particularly with the Blue Jays only scoring 5+ runs in four of their 13 games in May. The Rays have gone Over their team total in 10 of their last 13 contests and Yandy Diaz already has five hits in this weekend series.
The teams combined for 22 hits yesterday and the Over on an 8.5-run line today at plus-money odds is too good for me to pass up.
Blue Jays star player prop
My best bet
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Over 0.5 RBI (+150 at PROLINE+)
The Blue Jays aren’t going to muscle their way into the AL Wild Card race unless the offense starts delivering consistently, but Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s turnaround this month has been a major plus and a reminder of how destructive he can be.
A Vladdy RBI is my favorite Toronto prop this afternoon. He’s 20-for-50 in May, with a .400 batting average and nine RBI.
He had three hits against Tampa Bay yesterday, including an RBI single, and it doesn’t hurt that he has a home run to his name against Civale — one of two hits in seven at-bats against the Rays’ starter.
I’m looking at Vladdy as the likeliest Blue Jays batter to provide a spark here.
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Rays vs Blue Jays odds
Rays vs Blue Jays live odds
Rays vs Blue Jays opening odds
- Run line: Tampa Bay -1.5 (+135 | Toronto +1.5 (-160)
- Moneyline: Tampa Bay -115 | Toronto -109
- Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5
Rays vs Blue Jays spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Rays have won three in a row — and 11 of their past 15 contests — so it’s a slight surprise that the latest odds essentially make today’s showdown a toss-up.
- Toronto’s bullpen faltered again yesterday, coughing up the lead in the eighth inning, and the hosts are 3-7 in their past 10 outings.
- The Over is 4-2 in the six meetings between these teams in 2024 and four Rays finished with multi-hit games yesterday as the visitors once again looked very comfortable at Rogers Centre.
- While the Under is 26-18 for the Blue Jays this year, Tampa Bay has hit the Over in four of its last five games with Civale on the bump – and the Over is 25-21 for the Rays this season.
Rays vs Blue Jays trend
The Blue Jays have only covered the run line in nine of their last 27 games. Find more MLB betting trends for Rays vs. Blue Jays
Rays vs Blue Jays game info
| Location: | Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON |
| Date: | Sunday, 5-19-2024 |
| First pitch: | 1:37 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Bally Sun, Sportsnet |
| Rays starting pitcher: | Aaron Civale (2-3, 5.83 ERA) |
| Blue Jays starting pitcher: | Alek Manoah (0-1, 4.91 ERA) |
Rays vs Blue Jays latest injuries
Rays vs Blue Jays weather
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