Toronto Blue Jays (21-21) vs Tampa Bay Rays (19-23)
May 15, 2025 at 03:07 PM EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Toronto Blue Jays -166 / Tampa Bay Rays +140 — Over/Under: 8.5
In this article, we will formulate a Rays vs Blue Jays prediction for this MLB game on Thursday, May 15, at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays (19-23, 8-6 Away) were swept by the Philadelphia Phillies and beat the Milwaukee Brewers prior to this series against the Blue Jays in Toronto. The Rays opened the series with an 11-9 victory but lost Game 2 as the Blue Jays responded with a 3-1 win. Ryan Pepiot took the loss after allowing three runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and one walk in 6.0 innings.
This season, the Rays average 3.93 runs per game (21st in the MLB) on a .242/.310/.366 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Rays’ staff has a 3.87 ERA (14th) and 1.20 WHIP (9th). Junior Caminero leads the Rays with a .247 batting average, eight home runs, and 20 RBI this season.
Zack Littell will take the mound for the Rays on Thursday. The 29-year-old right-hander has a 2-5 record in eight starts this year with a 4.40 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 47.0 innings.
Toronto Blue Jays Betting Preview
The Toronto Blue Jays (21-21, 12-9 Home) were on a four-game losing skid before sweeping the Seattle Mariners on the road, which was rather surprising. After losing Game 1 of the current series against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Blue Jays won Game 2 on Wednesday. In that 3-1 victory, Alejandro Kirk drove in all three runs as he blasted a three-run homer in the 6th inning. Chris Bassitt pitched for 5.2 innings in a no-decision, allowing one run on seven hits with six strikeouts and two walks. Brendon Little was credited with the win.
This year, the Blue Jays average 4.02 runs per game (20th in the MLB) on a .251/.321/.380 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Blue Jays’ staff has a 4.39 ERA (23rd) and 1.24 WHIP (15th). Bo Bichette leads the Blue Jays with a .279 batting average, three home runs, and 21 RBI this season.
The projected starting pitcher for the Blue Jays is Kevin Gausman, who is 3-3 in eight starts this season, with a 3.97 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 45.1 innings.
Total Runs Facts
- Nine of the Blue Jays’ last 10 games have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Six of the Rays’ last seven road games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Blue Jays’ last four games.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in six of the Rays’ last seven games as road underdogs.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Blue Jays rank T28th in the league for triples this season (1).
- The Blue Jays rank T26th in the league for home runs this season (35).
- The Rays rank T26th in the league for home runs this season (35).
- The Rays rank T26th in the league for home runs allowed this season (59).
Blue Jays vs Rays Prediction
The Rays won seven of the previous ten H2H encounters, including five of the last six. Although I don’t expect to see 20 combined runs, like it was the case in Game 1, I am going with Over because I am not very impressed with Littell and Gausman. Littell allowed multiple runs in six of his last seven starts, while Gausman surrendered 13 runs in his previous four starts. Littell allowed a .306 BA in 49 at-bats against the Blue Jays, while Gausmann allowed a .364 BA in 33 at-bats against the Rays. I am backing both offenses to score 3+ runs in the opening five innings. Go with Over.