Tampa Bay Rays vs Toronto Blue Jays 9/29/2023 Betting Predictions, Picks and Tips

Tampa Bay Rays vs Toronto Blue Jays 9/29/2023 – The stage is set for an electrifying AL East showdown as the Tampa Bay Rays (97-62) go head-to-head with the Toronto Blue Jays (88-71) on Friday evening. With the season series tied at 5-5, both teams are eager to seize the upper hand in this pivotal matchup. Let’s dive into the details and analyze the key players and factors that could influence the outcome of this game. The MLB betting odds are updated online for bettors to place their bets on their favorite teams.

Tampa Bay Rays vs Toronto Blue Jays 9/29/2023

Tampa Bay Rays vs Toronto Blue Jays 9/29/2023

Team	RL	TOTAL	ML
Bay Rays	+1.5 (-167)	+129	75 o (-115)
Blue Jays	-1.5 (+147)	-140	7.5 u (-105)

We’ll see ya in Troptober 😎🍾 pic.twitter.com/h4CauKSglb

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) September 28, 2023

Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays will kick off the series with veteran Aaron Civale taking the mound. However, Civale’s recent form has been less than stellar, as he endured a rough outing in his last game against the Angels, surrendering six runs on seven hits in just three innings, resulting in a loss. Throughout this month, Civale has struggled, posting a 7.85 ERA in four appearances. Nonetheless, his overall season performance boasts a 3.43 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP, and a commendable 7-3 record in 120 innings pitched. It’s worth noting that Civale has had some difficulty against the Blue Jays in the past, allowing eight runs in 11.2 career innings.

The Rays have clinched the first wildcard spot and are poised to face the second wildcard seed, which could be the Astros or the Blue Jays. In their recent clash with the Blue Jays at home, the Rays struggled on the pitching front, dropping two out of three games. However, they bounced back by securing two victories in Boston. Currently, the Rays hold a 5-5 record in their last ten games.

Notably, outfielder Manuel Margot has seen increased playing time due to injuries, boasting an impressive .883 OPS this month. In 95 games, he has contributed 37 RBIs and a .685 OPS. However, Margot has struggled against the Blue Jays this season, tallying only two RBIs and a .567 OPS. The Rays are grappling with several key injuries, with players like Brandon Lowe, Luke Raley, Randy Arozarena, and Yandy Diaz sidelined.

Contrasting Performances Set the Stage for an Intriguing Matchup

Offensively, Tampa Bay is averaging 5.25 runs per game, ranking them fourth in the league, while their pitching staff boasts a solid 3.84 ERA, securing them the fifth spot.

Despite contending with injuries, the Tampa Bay Rays have managed to find ways to win games, securing three victories in their last four matchups. Historically, they have proven to be a challenging adversary for the Blue Jays. In contrast, the Blue Jays have been inconsistent, recently suffering consecutive losses against the Yankees, where they failed to score a single run.

Furthermore, Aaron Civale, the Rays’ starter, has showcased a remarkable contrast in performance on the road, boasting a superb 2.31 ERA and a 4-2 record for the season. On the flip side, Yusei Kikuchi, who faced the Rays in his previous outing, struggled, conceding three runs in just four innings, contributing to his disappointing 5.40 ERA against the Rays this season.

Players to watch: Randy Arozarena LF (GP 149, AB 545, R 93, H 139, 2B 18, 3B 3, HR 23, RBI 83, TB 232, BB 77, SO 156, SB 22, AVG 0.255, OBP 0.362, SLG 0.426, OPS 0.787, WAR 3.5, Yandy Diaz 1B (GP 135, AB 522, R 94, H 171, 2B 35, 3B 0, HR 21, RBI 76, TB 269, BB 64, SO 93, SB 0, AVG 0.328, OBP 0.408, SLG 0.515, OPS 0.923, WAR 5

Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays, on the other hand, recognize the importance of strong pitching to secure a win. Yusei Kikuchi will be tasked with this responsibility, bringing his 10-6 record and 3.82 ERA to the mound. In his previous encounter with the Rays, he faced challenges, allowing nine hits and three runs in four innings. The Blue Jays are averaging 4.54 runs per game, and their pitching staff ranked fifth in the league, concedes an average of 4.08 runs per game.

As the Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays lock horns in this critical AL East matchup, fans can anticipate a thrilling contest with playoff implications. The Rays aim to extend their winning streak, while the Blue Jays seek to regain their consistency and clinch a crucial victory. With key players and factors at play, this game promises to deliver captivating moments and intense competition on the field.

The Tampa Bay Rays enter this matchup riding the momentum of two consecutive victories and are eager to make it three in a row. In their last two games against the Boston Red Sox, they displayed their offensive prowess by scoring 14 runs. With an average of 5.62 runs per game and the second-ranked pitching staff allowing only 4.03 runs per game, the Rays have established themselves as a formidable force in the league.

Players to watch: George Springer RF (GP 152, AB 604, R 87, H 156, 2B 24, 3B 1, HR 21, RBI 71, TB 245, BB 59, SO 122, SB 20, AVG 0.258, OBP 0.328, SLG 0.406, OPS 0.733, WAR 2.2, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B (GP 154, AB 594, R 75, H 156, 2B 28, 3B 0, HR 26, RBI 94, TB 262, BB 65, SO 98, SB 5, AVG 0.263, OBP 0.342, SLG 0.441, OPS 0.783, WAR 1.8

Tampa Bay Rays vs Toronto Blue Jays Betting Numbers

Trends

Tampa Bay Rays

The total has gone OVER in 6 of Tampa Bay’s last 7 games.
Tampa Bay are 12-6 SU in their last 18 games.
Rays are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games on the road.
Tampa Bay is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Toronto.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay’s last 5 games against an opponent in the American League.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay’s last 5 games against an opponent in the American League East Division.

Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto are 8-4 SU in their last 12 games.
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Toronto’s last 8 games against Tampa Bay.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto’s last 5 games at home.
Toronto are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay.
Toronto are 12-6 SU in their last 18 games against an opponent in the American League East Division.
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Toronto’s last 20 games played on a Friday.