MLB Predictions: Blue Jays vs Rays Lines
The Tampa Bay Rays look to salvage a split of their series with the Toronto Blue Jays with a win in the fourth game of their four-game series on Thursday. The Jays have historically not fared well when playing at the Trop, posting a 0-19-1 series record in Tampa Bay.
Toronto Blue Jays (2-1) at Tampa Bay Rays (1-2)
Date: Thursday, April 3, 2014
Time: 7:10 PM ET
Venue: Tropicana Field
City: Tampa Bay, Florida
O/U Odds: 7.5
Money Line: Tampa Bay -147, Toronto +136
Pitching Matchup: RH Brandon Morrow (2-3, 5.63 ERA) at RH Chris Archer (9-7, 3.22 ERA)
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The Blue Jays stole one from the Rays n Wednesday on the back of a brilliant performance by starter Mark Buehrle, who struck out 11 over 8 ⅔ scoreless innings, allowing only four hits, and walking just one batter. He was pulled with the Rays down to just one out, and Brett Cecil eventually came in to get the last out.
The team’s offense sputtered, but Jose Bautista provided enough of a spark to put the team over the top. Bautista hit a pair of solo blasts for the Blue Jays, who got their only other run when Edwin Encarnacion doubled, and was driven in by catcher Dioner Navarro. The game broke Bautista out of a slump, but Encarnacion still needs a jump start. He’s just 1-for-13 on the season.
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On Thursday, the Blue Jays will hope for some more pitching magic, this time from Brandon Morrow. Morrow missed much of last season, and struggled to the tune of a 5.74 ERA in the spring, but he dazzled in his final spring outing.
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Facing the Mets on Mar. 29, Morrow threw 5 ⅔ innings of shutout ball, allowing only two hits while striking out eight. Unfortunately, he didn’t get any run sport and had to settle for a no-decision, though Toronto did go on to win 2-0.
Morrow didn’t face the Rays in an injury-plagued 2013, but he did throw against them four times in 2012. In those four starts, Morrow went 1-3 with a 7.48 ERA, allowing opposing hitters to post a .292 batting average against him.
He’ll be opposed in this one by the Rays’ newest recipient of a long-term contract, Chris Archer. Archer received that extension from the Rays on Tuesday, and looks to reward the team immediately.
He has the opportunity to do so now, facing a Blue Jays team that he fared well against in his rookie season. Archer posted a 1.65 ERA in three starts against the Blue Jays, posting a 1.16 WHIP in those contests. He was also solid pitching at home last season, posting an ERA 45 points lower at Tropicana Field than on the road, posting a 1.01 WHIP in those contests.
The Rays are 5-0 in Archer’s last five home starts, while the Blue Jays are 1-5 in Morrow’s last six road starts.
The Blue Jays are 15-44 in their last 59 games played at Tropicana Field.
The play: Tampa Bay -147
