by Rod Pearson
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Game Time: 6:40 pm ET, Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Venue: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL
Where to Watch: BSSUN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Blue Jays +155, Rays -180; Over/Under: 8 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Blue Jays +155, Rays -180; Over/Under: 8 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Blue Jays +155, Rays -180; Over/Under: 8 runs
Season Record
Toronto Blue Jays: 25-23 (5th place, AL East)
Tampa Bay Rays: 35-14 (1st place, AL East)
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Recent Form
Toronto Blue Jays: 3-7 last 10
Tampa Bay Rays: 5-5 last 10
Toronto Blue Jays vs Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Analysis
The Blue Jays are entering this game on a 5 game losing streak after getting swept 3-0 in a 3-game series by the Baltimore Orioles in their last series. They enter this game with a 25-23 record overall and have a road record of 12-14. This is the 3rd game of a 4-game series with the Rays on Wednesday with the 2nd game of this series still to be played on Tuesday. Their offense ranks 12th in the MLB with a .738 OPS. José Berríos is their starting pitcher on Tuesday while Yusei Kikuchi is making his start in this game on Wednesday. He is 5-1 with a 4.08 ERA this season. His team won 2 of their last 3 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 3 ER, 1 HR, and 4 BB with 3 Ks on 3 hits through 4.2 IP against the Baltimore Orioles.
The Rays are entering this game off of a win in their last game and won their 3-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 35-14 record overall and have a home record of 22-4. This is the 3rd game of a 4-game series with the Blue Jays on Wednesday with the 2nd game of the series still to be played on Tuesday. Their offense ranks 1st in the MLB with a .848 OPS. Rookie pitcher Taj Bradley is their starting pitcher on Tuesday while Shane McClanahan is making his start in this game on Wednesday. He is 7-0 with a 2.05 ERA this season. His team won 9 of their 10 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 0 earned runs, 0 homers, and 1 BB with 7 strikeouts on 6 hits through 7 innings played against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Blue Jays vs Rays Prediction
The current betting odds have the Rays listed as a huge favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Rays are off to a really good start this season with the best record in the entire MLB right now and they also have the best home record too. Their pitching has been great this season as it usually is but now they have an offense too and it is the best in the MLB right now. The Blue Jays haven't been playing well at all lately as they were just swept at home by the Orioles in their last series and are now in Tampa in the middle of a slump. They are still putting up runs in their games but their pitching hasn't been good and this has been an issue for them all season, going back to last season too. The Rays are still upset over missing their chance to break the MLB season start record when they lost in Toronto earlier this season so they will be looking to repay this slumping Jays team with a series win of their own and possibly even a sweep with how much the Jays have been struggling against division opponents over the last week. The best way to place a bet here is on the Rays to win this game and on the runline.
Blue Jays Rays Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Wednesday, May 24, 2023 (6:40 pm ET start time) is Rays 6 Blue Jays 1.
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MLB Betting Trends
Toronto Blue Jays: 5-13 (-13.2 units) on the moneyline against division opponents. 40-46 (-26.8 against left-handed starters. 13-7 OVER in May games. 25-13 OVER after 6 consecutive games versus division rivals.
Tampa Bay Rays: 35-14 (+17.5 units) on the moneyline in all games. 20-4 (+14.1 units) on the moneyline as a home favorite of -110 or higher. 28-18 OVER in all games. 20-11 OVER when the total is 7 to 8.5.
Key Injuries
Toronto Blue Jays: S. Espinal (2B) Early June - Hamstring. Z. Pop (RP) Early June - Hamstring. M. White (SP) Early June - Elbow. A. Cimber (RP) Ques Tues - Back. C. Green (RP) Late July - Elbow. H. Ryu (SP) Mid July - Elbow.
Tampa Bay Rays: T. Glasnow (SP) Prob Sat - Oblique. J. Diekman (RP) Out indefinitely - Personal. S. Armstrong (RP) Early June - Neck. D. Rasmussen (RP) Out indefinitely - Elbow. G. Cleavinger (RP) out for season - Knee. J. Springs (RP) out for season - Elbow. S. Baz (SP) out for season - Elbow. A. Kittredge (RP) Late July - Elbow.
Notable Quotes
“It's not a lack of effort. These guys want it, and they're battling. You look at the ninth inning, there's no quit. That's what gives you a lot of confidence going forward.” - John Schneider after his team’s loss against the Rays in their game on Monday.
“We take advantage of those little mistakes that the other team's make.” - Jose Siri after their win against the Blue Jays in their game on Monday.
Starting Lineups
Toronto Blue Jays
George Springer (R) RF
Bo Bichette (R) SS
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B
Matt Chapman (R) 3B
Daulton Varsho (L) LF
Alejandro Kirk (R) C
Whit Merrifield (R) 2B
Danny Jansen (R) DH
Kevin Kiermaier (L) CF
Tampa Bay Rays
Yandy Diaz (R) 1B
Wander Franco (S) SS
Brandon Lowe (L) 2B
Randy Arozarena (R) LF
Isaac Paredes (R) 3B
Josh Lowe (L) DH
Christian Bethancourt (R) C
Jose Siri (R) CF
Luke Raley (L) RF
Statistical Leaders
Toronto Blue Jays
Batting Average: Bo Bichette (.317)
Hits: Bo Bichette (65)
Home Runs: Bo Bichette (9)
RBI: Bo Bichette (30)
Stolen Bases: Whit Merrifield (13)
Wins: Chris Bassitt (5)
Saves: Jordan Romano (10)
ERA: Thomas Hatch (0.00)
Tampa Bay Rays
Batting Average: Yandy Diaz (.322)
Hits: Randy Arozarena (53)
Home Runs: Yandy Diaz (11)
RBI: Randy Arozarena (37)
Stolen Bases: Wander Franco (14)
Wins: Shane McClanahan (7)
Saves: Jason Adam (6)
ERA: Chase Anderson (0.00)
Managers:
Toronto Blue Jays: John Schneider (2nd season)
Tampa Bay Rays: Kevin Cash (9th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
