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Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays Free Preview 09/05/18

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Tampa Bay Rays are set to take on their divisional rival Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Fox Sports Sun is in line to broadcast the matchup and the game will get underway at 7:07 p.m. ET.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Toronto Blue Jays Odds

Oddsmakers are listing Toronto (+125) as the underdog to Tampa Bay (-135). The total sits at 8.5 runs and bettors can take the over for -115 and the under for -105. Gamblers can also bet on the game’s spread with the runline odds standing at +110 for the Rays -1.5 runs and -130 for the Blue Jays +1.5.

The Rays have gone 75-63 SU this year and are 76-61 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 18.5 units for moneyline gamblers and 16.2 units ATS. Tampa Bay has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven. The Blue Jays, on the other hand, are 62-76 SU and 57-80 ATS. They’ve lost 11.3 units for moneyline bettors and 33.9 units ATS. Toronto has covered the spread only once in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven.

Blue Jays games have had an over/under record of 71-58-8 in 2018. The Rays have been a great under bet with a total record of 58-74-5.

The right-handed Tyler Glasnow is the projected starter for the visiting Rays. Glasnow is 1-4 with a 3.95 ERA and 110 strikeouts. He’s 0-0 with six strikeouts and a 1.80 ERA against Toronto this year.

The Blue Jays will put the ball in the right hand of Aaron Sanchez (3-5, 5.22 ERA), who’s got 71 punchouts and 50 walks as well as a 1.63 WHIP. Sanchez is 0-1 with three strikeouts and a 4.91 ERA in one start against Tampa Bay this year.

Tampa Bay’s pitching staff allowed 3.9 runs per game and its starters own a 3.63 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 9.33 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.65, along with a WHIP of 1.17.

Rays hitters have slashed .257/.331/.399 on their way to 4.2 runs scored per game this season, including 4.1 runs per game against divisional foes and 4.4 per game over the team’s last five outings (4-1 SU).

Third baseman Matt Duffy and second baseman Joey Wendle have paced Tampa Bay’s hitters. Duffy is slashing .299/.357/.374 with four home runs, 40 RBIs and 50 runs scored, while Wendle is hitting .300 with seven homers, 49 RBIs, 49 runs and 12 steals.

For the home team, Toronto’s pitching staff has given up 5.2 runs per game overall this season. Its starters have a 5.24 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.40 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 9.0 K/9. In 59 divisional games, Blue Jays starters have an ERA of 5.03 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.97.

The Toronto hitters are putting up 4.4 runs per contest, including 3.9 per game against divisional foes and 3.2 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .183/.260/.288 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.

First baseman Justin Smoak and right fielder Kevin Pillar have led the Blue Jays’ batters this year. Smoak is slashing .247/.356/.470 with 23 home runs, 70 RBIs and 60 runs scored, while Pillar’s line sits at .249/.278/.410 with 11 homers, 51 RBIs, 54 runs and 13 stolen bases.

The Rays have gained 9.9 units and are 53-45 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has cashed in 45 of those games, as opposed to 50 that’ve hit the under against righty starters. On the other hand, the Blue Jays have netted 6.1 units and are 39-52 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in 48 of those games, compared to 39 that went under.

Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays Pick

Predictions: SU Winner – Rays, ATS Winner – Rays, O/U – UNDER

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Notes

Betting Notes

Tampa Bay has recorded 22 extra-base hits over its last five games. Toronto has 10 XBH over its last five.

The Blue Jays have lost three of their last four games SU.

Toronto has recorded 18.9 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 14.4 over its last five.

The Rays have hit nine home runs in their last 10 games. The Blue Jays have hit 12 over their last 10.

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Written by GMS Previews

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