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The Toronto Blue Jays will face off with the Tampa Bay Rays in the rubber match on Sunday afternoon in South Florida. It's time to continue our MLB odds coverage with a Blue Jays-Rays prediction and pick.
The Blue Jays defeated the Rays 5-1 yesterday. It was 1-0 Jays entering the third inning when Yandy Diaz whacked a 3-2 pitch to the opposite field for a solo home run. It was his third of 2022 and tied the game. Later, the Jays broke the tie when Teoscar Hernandez smacked a 1-2 pitch into the center-field seats for a solo home run. It was his 2nd in 2022 and gave Toronto a 2-1 lead. A few batters later came up with two runners on and cracked the first pitch he saw into left field for a three-run bomb. Toronto led 5-1, and that would be the final.
Hyun-Jin Ryu tossed 4 2/3 innings, allowing one earned run on four hits with three strikeouts and a walk in his return from injury. Additionally, the bullpen threw 4 1/3 scoreless innings to preserve the game. Ryan Yarbrough allowed one earned run on two hits through 3 2/3 innings. However, he also walked three batters and threw 80 pitches. Ryan Thompson collapsed in the eighth as he allowed four earned runs on four hits to lose the game.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Blue Jays-Rays MLB odds:
MLB odds: Blue Jays-Rays Odds
Blue Jays: -1.5 (+140)
Rays: +1.5 (-170)
Over: 7.5 (-105)
Under: 7.5 (-115)
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Why The Blue Jays Could Cover The Spread
Toronto will go with Alek Manoah. He is 4-0 with a 1.75 ERA over six starts. Manoah faced the Rays four times in 2021, compiling a 3-1 record. Now, he looks to defeat them again and has become the unofficial ace of the rotation. However, Manoah has not won since April 28. He tossed five innings in his previous start against the Cleveland Guardians. In that start, Manoah allowed two earned runs on five hits over five innings of work. It was also the first start to not go six innings all season. Also, he has allowed three home runs in six starts, and that is how the Rays usually get their runs. Manoah has done better at not giving free bases, as he has only allowed three in three starts after walking six in his first three. He got some help from an offense that had been struggling recently.
Hernandez was the hero as he went 2 for 5 with a home run. However, stars Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette produced quiet nights. Guerrero went 1 for 5 last night and Bichette went 0 for 3. These two hitters are essential for the Jays, yet only Guerrero is holding his weight this season. Bichette is hitting .241 with three home runs and 14 RBI. The batting average is well below his career mark of .294. He will look to get things going against the Rays.
The Blue Jays cover the spread if Manoah produces an excellent start and the offense gives him run support. His inability to win in two weeks has largely had to do with inefficient run support.
Why The Rays Could Cover The Spread
Tampa Bay will go with Jeffrey Springs. He is 1-1 with a 2.12 ERA. He tossed four innings, allowing three earned runs with three hits and a home run in his last start against the Los Angeles Angels. Springs has mainly pitched out of the bullpen in 2022 but has recently entered the rotation. Now, he looks to bounce back from his outing and take down a powerful Toronto lineup. He will need help from an offense that managed one run last night.
The Rays had one run on six hits as a unit. Additionally, they left seven runners stranded on the base paths. Tampa Bay could not figure out the Toronto pitching staff, and it was another instance where their offense went cold. Likewise, Randy Arozarena has been among the cold hitters in 2022. He is hitting .227 with one home run and nine RBIs. His numbers have dipped significantly, and he is still attempting to break out of the slump.
The Rays will cover the spread if Springs can produce a decent outing and hold the Toronto lineup down. Also, Tampa Bay needs to find its offense and get to Manoah to give themselves a legitimate chance to win.
Final Blue Jays-Rays Prediction & Pick
It feels like a trap, but Toronto should win. The Rays usually win these series at home, but the pitching matchup looks one-sided. The only way Tampa Bay pulls out a win is if Springs pitches the game of his life and the offense gets to Manoah. However, it is difficult to see that occurring. Tampa Bay is pesky enough to keep it close.
Final Blue Jays-Rays Prediction & Pick: Blue Jays Moneyline (-120)
