Tampa Bay Rays vs Toronto Blue Jays Preview: Ray, Jays to Resoundingly Rebound From Rare Shutout?

Last night, the Toronto Blue Jays put a zero on the scoreboard for only the second time this season, as Drew Rasmussen and the Tampa Bay Rays blanked the Jays 2-0. It was an untimely loss for the Jays in their AL wild-card quest, but with AL Cy Young candidate Robbie Ray on the bump today, they are a solid MLB betting favorite to bounce back in this afternoon’s series finale.

After Toronto’s Alek Manoah pitched a gem in Monday’s 8-0 win, the Rays turned the tables on the Jays last night. Rasmussen continued his strong run as a starter, allowing only two hits and a walk in five innings. From there, the bullpen closed the deal, allowing only one hit in four innings.

With both the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees winning last night, there is a three-way tie for the two AL wild-card spots, though the Red Sox have played two more games than the Blue Jays and Yankees. And with the Seattle Mariners and Oakland A’s still within striking distance, maintaining a cushion is vital.

Will the Blue Jays bounce back from last night’s rare blanking and secure the series win this afternoon?

Tampa Bay Rays (90-55) vs Toronto Blue Jays (81-64), SportsNet, 3:07 p.m. ET

Probable Pitchers

• Tampa Bay Rays: Michael Wacha (3-4, 5.37 ERA)
• Toronto Blue Jays: Robbie Ray (11-5, 2.69 ERA)

Tampa Bay Rays vs Toronto Blue Jays MLB Betting Odds

Moneyline

• Tampa Bay Rays +148
• Toronto Blue Jays -176

Total

• OVER 9 (-104)
• UNDER 9 (-118)

Run Line

• Tampa Bay Rays +1.5 (-132)
• Toronto Blue Jays -1.5 (+110)

Tampa Bay Rays vs Toronto Blue Jays odds are via BetOnline Sportsbook as of Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at 10:40 a.m. ET. Want to see betting odds from several top online sportsbooks for the day’s other MLB matchups? Check out our MLB odds.

Tampa Bay Rays vs Toronto Blue Jays MLB Betting Consensus

Moneyline

• 40% Tampa Bay Rays
• 60% Toronto Blue Jays

Total (at O/U 8.5)

• 80% OVER 8.5
• 20% UNDER 8.5

Run Line (at +/-1.5)

• 80% Tampa Bay Rays +1.5
• 20% Toronto Blue Jays -1.5

Tampa Bay Rays vs Toronto Blue Jays Matchup: MLB Betting Picks, Odds, Stats and More

Tampa Bay Rays vs Toronto Blue Jays Betting Outlook

Wacha was hit hard in a couple of road starts in August, allowing 21 hits, 12 runs, and four homers in back-to-back outings against the Baltimore Orioles and Minnesota Twins. But since then, he has pitched fairly well, going 1-0 with a 3.13 ERA in his last four starts, with 28 strikeouts and only two walks in 20.1 innings.

It’s a timely surge for Wacha, who will hope to be one of the arms the Rays turn to in the postseason. As a rookie with the St. Louis Cardinals, Wacha was the 2013 NLCS MVP, but he hasn’t pitched in the playoffs since 2015. Continuing his current run of form can only help his case to have a valuable postseason role, especially against one of the league’s best lineups.

That lineup will be raring to respond after being shut down last night, and they are a great bet to do so. This season, the Blue Jays are 26-13 following a loss in which they were held to three or fewer runs. Two out of three isn’t bad at all, but they have been especially resilient in the second half, posting a 12-2 mark in that spot.

And with their ace on the hill, confidence should be even higher. Yankees hurler Gerrit Cole, a -130 MLB betting favorite for the AL Cy Young, picked up his 15th win last night. Ray, the second favorite at +150, needs to shine today, and his sparkling record since the Blue Jays’ return to Toronto bodes well for him. In six starts at Rogers Centre, he is 2-0 with a 1.33 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 40.2 innings.

MLB Betting Trends to Consider for Tampa Bay Rays vs Toronto Blue Jays

• As mentioned above, the Blue Jays are 12-2 in the second half following losses in which they scored three or fewer runs.
• Seven of those 12 wins (58.3 percent) were by multiple runs.
• 20 of their 26 wins in this spot (76.9 percent) this season came by multiple runs.
• The Blue Jays are 18-8 at Rogers Centre since their return. They are seeking their sixth win in eight series since their return. The only series loss was to the Detroit Tigers, while they split four games with the Chicago White Sox.
• The Blue Jays have not lost consecutive home games at Rogers Centre since their return to Toronto.
• After their previous losses at Rogers Centre, the Blue Jays are 7-0 and have outscored the opposition 36-19.

Tampa Bay Rays vs Toronto Blue Jays Best Bets

Toronto Blue Jays -1.5

There is not much value in backing the moneyline, but the RL is. The Rays are formidable opposition, and Wacha is in solid form at the moment. But the Jays are excellent value to cover the RL with Ray out there and a host of trends in their favor.