Blue Jays vs. Rays Prediction
Can the Tampa Bay Rays find some offense when they host the Toronto Blue Jays in their weekend series opener tonight at 7:10PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
917 Toronto Blue Jays at 918 Tampa Bay Rays
Friday, May 4, 2018
7:10PM ET – Tropicana Field
TV: SUN (TB)
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers, Toronto is favored on the road in this game, as the Blue Jays are getting odds of -155 to win. The Rays are listed with a money line of +135 to prevail, while the over/under total has been set at 8 runs. The public betting currently has 56% going on Toronto on the road. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Jays pitching struggling
The Blue Jays have won four of their last six games, but their pitching was a mess on Thursday. Between two games with Cleveland, Toronto gave up 24 runs. Toronto is now 18-14 overall and 9-7 on the road. The Jays are putting up 5.41 runs per game this season while allowing 4.75 per contest.
J.A. Happ gets the start for the Blue Jays tonight. He is 4-1 through six starts this season and has a 3.50 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP. Happ has pitched 36 innings and has 50 strikeouts with seven walks.
Tampa going silent at the plate
The Rays have lost three of their last four games, scoring three runs or less in all four of the contests. Tampa has gotten good pitching during the games, allowing just 11 runs, but not enough hitting for wins. The Rays are now 13-16 overall and 6-7 at home. Tampa is putting up 4.48 runs per game while allowing 4.72 per contest.
Andrew Kittredge is getting the start for the Rays tonight. He has appeared in nine games and started two of them. He has a 1-2 record with a 6.23 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP. Over 13 innings of work, he has seven strikeouts with five walks.
MLB Betting Trends
Toronto
The Blue Jays have won Happ’s last five starts overall and his last four road starts. They also have won eight of their last 10 series openers.
Tampa
The Rays are 4-11 in their last 15 games following a loss and 1-8 in their last nine games when scoring two runs or less in their previous game.
Prediction:
Toronto had a rough day on the mound on Thursday, but I think Happ will get things back on track for the Blue Jays today. Tampa can’t expect much from Kittredge and what they do get isn’t likely to be very productive. I like Happ to keep the Tampa hitters down and lead the Jays to a win.
The Pick: Toronto Blue Jays -155