Tampa Bay Rays vs. Toronto Blue Jays Expert Betting Pick

The Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays will battle in the finale for their three-game series on Thursday, May 15 at 3:07 PM ET at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario. MyBookie showcases the best MLB betting odds that reveal the Blue Jays favored with a moneyline at -165.

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview

The Rays had an impressive performance in Game 1 with 11 runs, but allowed the Blue Jays to have nine of their own. A win is a win, no matter how ugly it can look on the defensive end. Another performance like that is unlikely for Game 3, but it shows how strong these two teams can be on offense.

Zack Littell (2-5) will take the mound to start and has an ERA at 4.40 and a WHIP at 1.11. The Rays’ ERA comes in nearing 3.87, so Littell will need to be at his best to help keep their defense in good shape.

The offense from Tampa Bay has been appealing, as they are posting a batting average at .242. On defense, they have allowed opponents to get .236 at the plate. This shows they have slightly better scoring opportunities with solid moves at the plate.

The Rays have an on base percentage at .310 and a slugging percentage at .366, both of which are comparable to the offense from the Blue Jays. If they can cause problems early for the Blue Jays, they have a good chance to land a handful of runs late when relief pitchers are in.

Toronto Blue Jays Betting Preview

The Blue Jays had a four-game win streak entering this series, but the Rays are giving them fits with their volatile offense. The Blue Jays were averaging 7.30 runs a game in that win streak, but now are slowing down a bit.

Kevin Gausman (3-3) is starting on the mound and has slightly better numbers on paper than Littell for the Rays. He currently has an ERA at 3.97 and a WHIP at 0.97. The Blue Jays’ ERA is around 4.39, so Gausman will be crucial here at the start.

Their batting average is at .251, which is slightly better than what the Rays have accumulated. Their defense has consistently been strong too, allowing opponents to bat .238.

Having an on base percentage at .321, the Blue Jays typically have runners available slightly more than the Rays. They also have a slightly bigger slugging percentage at .380, but not a huge advantage here.

Odds, Series Trends, and Free Pick

MyBookie has you set with the best Tampa Bay Rays vs. Toronto Blue Jays betting odds, favoring the Blue Jays. According to market analysis, the Blue Jays have a 52.3 percent chance of winning this matchup. Having Gausman on the mound to start could make or break their defense and thus lead to their success if they can stay strong with him on the mound.

Final Pick: Toronto Blue Jays -165