Tampa Bay Rays vs Toronto Blue Jays Game 1 Prediction, Preview and Odds - 07/02/2022

by Rod Pearson

Friday, Jul 01, 2022
Game Time: 12:07 pm ET, Saturday, July 2, 2022
Venue:  Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON
Where to Watch:  SNET

 

Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks

DraftKings:  Moneyline odds:  Rays +115, Blue Jays -135; Over/Under:  7 runs
Bet365:  Moneyline odds:  Rays +120, Blue Jays -140; Over/Under:  7.5 runs
BetMGM:  Moneyline odds:  Rays +115, Blue Jays -135; Over/Under:  7 runs
 

Season Record

Tampa Bay Rays:  40-35 (4th place, AL East)
Toronto Blue Jays:  43-33 (2nd place, AL East)
 
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Recent Form
Tampa Bay Rays:  4-6 last 10
Toronto Blue Jays:  5-5 last 10
 
 
 

Tampa Bay Rays vs Toronto Blue Jays Preview and Analysis

 
The Rays enter this game on a 3 game losing streak. They lost their last series against the Milwaukee Brewers getting swept 2-0 in a 2-game series. They enter this game with a 40-35 record overall and have a road record of 15-18. This is the 3rd game of a 5-game series with the Blue Jays on Saturday with the 2nd game still to be played on Friday. Their offense ranks 26th in the MLB with a .668 OPS. Corey Kluber is their starting pitcher on Friday while Shane McClanahan is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 8-3 with a 1.77 ERA this season. His team lost 2 of their last 3 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last start, he allowed 1 ER, 0 HR, and 0 BB with 10 Ks on 4 hits through 7 IP against the Pittsburgh Pirates. 
 
The Blue Jays have won 3 of their last 4 games and enter this game off of a win. They won their last series against the Boston Red Sox 2-1 in a 3-game series. They enter this game with a 43-33 record overall and have a home record of 24-15. This is the 3rd game of a 5-game series with the Rays on Saturday with the 2nd game still to be played on Friday. Their offense ranks 1st in the MLB with a .761 OPS. José Berríos is on the mound on Friday while Kevin Gausman will be throwing the first pitch in this game on Saturday. He is 6-6 with a 2.93 ERA this season. His team lost 4 of their last 5 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last start, he allowed 0 ER, 0 HRs, and 2 BB with 10 Ks on 4 hits through 7 IP against the Boston Red Sox. 

 

Rays vs Blue Jays Prediction

The current betting odds have not been listed yet for this game. The Jays have been playing much better in their recent games since coming back home. They just won their last series against the Red Sox and already won their series opener against the Rays as well. They pitched very well in that game to keep the Rays from scoring a lot, only scoring the 1 run in the game, but the Rays offense has not been good this season either and they have one of the worst offense in the MLB. The Jays actually have one of the best offenses in the MLB this season and they have been scoring a lot of runs in their games recently. With their pitching getting a lot better, they will be a much better team soon as their offense has been great. The Rays already have some great pitching but they are not scoring a lot of runs and their offense has been awful. The Jays are the better team here and they will come to play at home here. The best way to place a bet here is on the Blue Jays to win this game.
 
Rays Blue Jays Prediction:  Our MLB Pick for Saturday, July 2, 2022 (12:07 pm ET start time) is Blue Jays 6 Rays 1.
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MLB Betting Trends

 
Tampa Bay Rays: 192-129 (+32.9 Units) ML in all games. 82-64 (+13.2 Units) ML in road games. 18-8 UNDER against division opponents.
Toronto Blue Jays: 11-14 (-4.4 Units) ML when the money line is +125 to -125. 43-33 (-4.1 Units) ML in all games. 10-4 UNDER against left-handed starters.
 

Key Injuries

 
Tampa Bay Rays:  K. Kiermaier (CF) Prob Fri - Hip. M. Margot (CF) Late Aug - Knee. B. Lowe (2B) Mid July - Back.
Toronto Blue Jays:  H. Ryu (SP) out for season - Elbow. D. Jansen (C) Mid July - Finger. Y. Garcia (RP) Out indefinitely - Back.
 
 

Notable Quotes

 
"We're not doing ourselves any favors by not making the most of some opportunities. We're just not putting enough pressure on pitchers." - Kevin Cash after his team’s loss against the Blue Jays on Thursday.
 
 
"If he throws strikes, he's going to get people out, and he's going to strike out people. That's what he did tonight." - Charlie Montoyo after his team’s win against the Rays on Thursday.
 
 

Starting Lineups

 
Tampa Bay Rays
Yandy Diaz (R) 3B
Wander Franco (S) SS
Harold Ramirez (R) DH
Randy Arozarena (R) LF
Isaac Paredes (R) 1B
Vidal Brujan (S) RF
Taylor Walls (S) 2B
Francisco Mejia (S) C
Josh Lowe (L) CF
 
Toronto Blue Jays
George Springer (R) CF
Bo Bichette (R) SS
Vladimir Guerrero (R) 1B
Alejandro Kirk (R) DH
Teoscar Hernandez (R) RF
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (R) LF
Matt Chapman (R) 3B
Santiago Espinal (R) 2B
Gabriel Moreno (R) C

Statistical Leaders

 
Tampa Bay Rays
Batting Average:  Jonathan Aranda (.667)
Hits:  Randy Arozarena (71)
Home Runs:  Isaac Paredes (11)
RBI:  Ji-Man Choi (35)
Stolen Bases:  Randy Arozarena (17)
Wins:  Shane McClanahan (8)
Saves:  Andrew Kittredge (5)
ERA:  J.P. Feyereisen (0.00)
 
Toronto Blue Jays
Batting Average:  Alejandro Kirk (.319)
Hits:  Bo Bichette (81)
Home Runs:  Vladimir Guerrero (18)
RBI:  Vladimir Guerrero (46)
Stolen Bases:  George Springer (8)
Wins:  Alek Manoah (9)
Saves:  Jordan Romano (17)
ERA:  Bowden Francis (0.00)
 
Managers:
Tampa Bay Rays: Kevin Cash (8th season)
Toronto Blue Jays: Charlie Montoyo (4th 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.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

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