Rays vs. Blue Jays Prediction
The Tampa Bay Rays have been one of the best stories in baseball this season even if their playoff chances now stand at 0.1 percent. Will Tampa Bay move to 20 games over .500 tonight when it opens a series at the Toronto Blue Jays?
Game Snapshot
911 Tampa Bay Rays at 912 Toronto Blue Jays
Thursday, September 20, 2018
Rogers Centre at 7:07PM ET
TV: SNET (TOR)
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Rays are a -126 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Blue Jays are a +116 underdog, while the total sits at 8.5 runs. As of Thursday morning, 68 percent of public bets are being placed on visiting Tampa Bay. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for the latest info.
Rays hammer Rangers in finale
Tampa Bay cruised to a 9-3 victory in its series finale at Texas last night, its fifth win in a row. Tommy Pham had a big night as he went 3-for-5 with two solo home runs. Matt Duffy finished 2-for-5 with a double, a run and two RBIs. C.J. Cron went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk, a run and an RBI. Joey Wendle was 3-for-4 with a double, a walk, a stolen base and a run. Jake Bauers was 2-for-5 with two doubles, a run and two RBIs. Willy Adames ended the game 1-for-3 with two walks, a run and an RBI. Jesus Sucre was 2-for-3 with a run. Ryan Yarbrough earned the win in relief as he allowed three earned runs on five hits with six strikeouts and two walks over four innings.
Jays have four-game win streak snapped
Toronto fell 2-1 at Baltimore Thursday night to see its four-game winning streak come to a halt. Billy McKinney finished 2-for-4 with a solo home run from the leadoff spot to pace the offense. Lourdes Gurriel went 2-for-4 hitting in the two-hole, while the rest of the Blue Jays failed to record a hit. Justin Smoak drew two walks in four plate appearances. Marco Estrada was the tough-luck losing pitcher as he allowed one earned run on four hits with five strikeouts and a walk over six innings.
Ryne Stanek (2-3, 2.49 ERA) will start the game today for Tampa Bay, while the Blue Jays counter with Sam Gaviglio (3-8, 5.25).
MLB Betting Trends
Tampa Bay
The Rays are 7-1 in their last eight road games. Tampa Bay is 40-12 in its last 52 games on astroturf.
Toronto
The Blue Jays are 4-14 in their last 18 Thursday games. The under is 7-1 in the last eight meetings.
Prediction:
Tampa Bay has perfected the bullpen game and will go that route again today with Stanek being the opener. Gaviglio has been very hittable this season and the Rays have surprised offensively, making them the right play tonight. The travel from Texas is concerning, but Toronto did have to travel overnight as well. Go with the better team tonight.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: TAMPA BAY RAYS -126