Toronto Blue Jays vs Tampa Bay Rays Preview: Can Ray Dominate the Rays Again to Crush Cole’s Cy Young Chances?

After dominating the Tampa Bay Rays last Wednesday, it looked like Toronto Blue Jays lefty Robbie Ray might be tough to beat out for the AL Cy Young. And after fellow favorite Gerrit Cole’s disastrous outing yesterday in the New York Yankees’ blowout loss to the Cleveland Indians, Ray has every chance to perhaps all but lock up the award tonight if he can blow away the Tampa Bay Rays for the second time in less than a week. Entering tonight’s matchup, the latest MLB betting odds now have Ray as a -280 favorite over Cole (+230).

Ray was absolutely masterful against the Rays last Wednesday, striking out 13 and allowing only one run and four hits in seven innings to lead the Jays to a big win. Not only did Ray enhance his chances of taking home some individual hardware, he enhanced the Jays’ AL wild-card hopes.

And with Toronto’s series win against the Minnesota Twins and the Yankees’ series loss to Cleveland, those chances have increased. The Boston Red Sox (86-65) hold one spot, one game ahead of the Jays (84-65), who are a game and a half ahead of the Yankees (83-67) and two ahead of the Oakland A’s (82-67).

The Jays will be looking to increase their advantage of the Yankees and A’s and make the AL East race linger on for a little longer, but the Rays will not be looking to do Ray or the Jays any favors. The Rays have an AL East title to lock down this week and are also closing in on securing the AL’s best record, even after stumbling Saturday and Sunday against the Detroit Tigers.

Toronto Blue Jays (84-65) vs Tampa Bay Rays (92-58), Bally Sports Sun, 7:10 p.m. ET

Probable Pitchers

• Toronto Blue Jays: Robbie Ray (12-5, 2.64 ERA)
• Tampa Bay Rays: Shane Baz (MLB debut)

Toronto Blue Jays vs Tampa Bay Rays MLB Betting Odds

Moneyline

• Toronto Blue Jays -130
• Tampa Bay Rays +110

Total

• OVER 8 (-102)
• UNDER 8 (-120)

Run Line

• Toronto Blue Jays -1.5 (+112)
• Tampa Bay Rays +1.5 (-134)

Toronto Blue Jays vs Tampa Bay Rays odds are via BetOnline Sportsbook as of Monday, September 20, 2021 at 3:30 p.m. ET. Want to see betting odds from several top online sportsbooks for the day’s other MLB matchups? Check out our MLB odds.

Toronto Blue Jays vs Tampa Bay Rays MLB Betting Consensus

Moneyline

• Unavailable – to be added later

Total

• Unavailable – to be added later

Run Line

• 25% Toronto Blue Jays
• 75% Tampa Bay Rays

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

Toronto Blue Jays vs Tampa Bay Rays Betting Outlook

Ray’s dominance of the Rays last week came after one of his worst outings of the season. Only three times this season has Ray pitched fewer than five innings, with his recent start at Baltimore being one. It also saw him allow eight hits, his highest total since September 28, 2019, while still with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

His lack of truly bad starts and some strong consistency throughout the season are why he now has the edge over Cole. Cole (15-8, 3.03 ERA) has more wins, but he has the “sticky stuff” controversy hanging over him and has also given up five or more runs five times this season. Ray has given up five runs in a start only once this season, and since that start in late May, he has allowed three or more runs only four times in 20 starts.

Ray is “only” 4-2 with a 3.13 ERA in in 13 road starts this season, but he has pitched well against the Rays this season, including at Tropicana Field. In five starts against the Rays this season, he is 2-1 with a 1.85 ERA, and he has quality starts in both starts at the Trop. On April 24, he allowed three runs and six hits and struck out nine in six innings in a no-decision. Then on July 11, he allowed only one hit and one walk and struck out 11 in seven scoreless innings, leading the Jays to a 3-1 win.

He and the Jays should fancy their chances tonight against Baz. Baz was the 12th overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, and the 22-year-old has posted a 5-4 record with a 2.06 ERA in 17 starts between AA and AAA ball this season.

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

• The Rays have been a home underdog only 15 times this season and have not exactly thrived in that spot. As a home underdog, they are 6-9 SU.
• Tampa Bay is 27-30 this season following a loss in the previous game.
• The Rays have a 47-23 record in division games this season but are only 9-7 against the Blue Jays.
• The Blue Jays are 22-15 SU this season as a road underdog.
• After a win, the Blue Jays are 46-37 this season.

Toronto Blue Jays vs Tampa Bay Rays Best Bets

Toronto Blue Jays ML

With Cole’s struggles yesterday in Cleveland, Ray has the floor to secure a well-earned Cy Young, if he hasn’t already. And that is exactly what I am looking for him to do tonight against the Rays, against whom he has pitched very well this season.

Personally, I even like the RL here because it’s at a decent number and has a favorable trend on its side. The Jays have won 16 of Rays’ 29 starts this season, and 15 have been by multiple runs. But that is just a bonus suggestion for if you happen to really like the Jays tonight.