Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays Betting Preview/Prop Picks
14 September 2022
Time: 7:07 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay 14.596; Toronto 16.539
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 2; 10
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto (-119); 7 ½
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-119); Over
The Tampa Bay Rays have a record of 79-62 and are third in the AL West. With such an impressive record, you’d think they’d rank higher in the division.
However, due to so much talent in the division, they’re actually 0.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays. Tonight, they’ll get the chance to take the second place spot from them if they can get a win.
The Blue Jays aren’t just going to let this happen easily, especially after yesterday’s win. The Blue Jays had a dominant performance, putting up seven runs on the day.
After a 7-2 win over the Rays, we expect the Blue Jays to come out swinging again here. The question is, can they repeat that performance? The alternative is the underdog Rays pulling off a big upset.
Tampa Bay Rays: Rays look for a quick start against Toronto
Prior to their 7-2 loss yesterday, the Rays earned a 4-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Through six innings, the Rays only scored a single run yesterday. By the end of the seventh inning, it was already 5-2, and it seemed hopeless for Tampa Bay.
Tonight, the Rays need to focus on a faster start, putting runners on base quickly. The good news is they have the right lineup for the job.
Before we take a look at their stats as batters, let’s take a look at who’s on the mound. Getting the start tonight is Drew Rasmussen, who is 10-4 with a 2.57 ERA this season.
Rasmussen has pitched 122.2 innings, throwing 113 strikeouts and allowing only ten home runs. Behind him is a batting group that has an average of .242 and an on-base percentage of .310, ranking 20th.
Toronto Blue Jays: Ross Stripling takes the mound today
The Rays are sending out one of their best, and the Blue Jays are tapping someone reliable. Ross Stripling will take the mound for the Blue Jays tonight with a record of 7-4.
Through 113 innings, he has a 3.03 ERA and has thrown 98 strikeouts with ten home runs. Stripling is a great option to take on the Rays batters as he has some experience against Tampa Bay.
To be fair, this experience hasn’t been positive, as he’s gone 1-2 in his last three against them. Still, knowing what to expect should help him have a strong outing against Tampa Bay.
He also has a strong batting group behind him that has an average of .261. They rank second in the MLB in batting average and fourth in on-base percentage at .326.
Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays Betting Pick
This game comes down to a few things; the first is pitching. The Rays have a slight edge when it comes to this category, with Rasmussen on the mound. However, it isn’t so much of an edge that we’d take them over the Blue Jays.
Toronto has a far better batting group than Tampa Bay does, and it was evident last night. As long as Stripling doesn’t give up too much ground, the Blue Jays should win this one.
In fact, we’re going to take the over because we see Toronto scoring a lot of runs again. Keep in mind that Tampa Bay is 1-4 in their last five games.
DunkelIndex Free Pick: Toronto Blue Jays -119, OVER
Prop Picks
Toronto (-130) OVER 3.5 Runs
Toronto is averaging 4.68 runs per 9 innings on offense, which ranks No. 6 in MLB. Tampa Bay is allowing 3.78 run per 9 innings on defense, which ranks No. 6 in MLB. That average increases to 4.24 runs per 9 innings on the road. Scores have gone OVER in 5 of the Rays’ last seven road games versus Toronto.
With Dunkel predicting a Toronto win by the score of 6-4, take the Blue Jays (-130) to finish OVER their Vegas team total of 3.5 runs against the Rays.
George Springer (+100) OVER 0.5 Runs Scored
Springer has scored 76 runs in 115 games played this season, which ranks No. 3 on the Blue Jays. The center fielder has scored 10 runs in 51 at-bats in September compared to 8 runs in 57 at-bats in all of August.
With Dunkel predicting the final score going OVER the Vegas run total, take Springer (+100) to finish OVER 0.5 runs scored versus the Rays.
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