Toronto Blue Jays vs. Tampa Bay Rays: Odds, Prediction
MLB’s official Opening Day is Thursday around the United States with all 30 teams scheduled to take part in it for the second year in a row.
Tampa Bay is a -135 favourite to win on the MLB odds.
Betting Analysis
Tampa Bay makes more out of less than any team in the majors as the small-market, penny-pinching Rays have made the playoffs in each of the past five seasons, but the franchise is still looking for its first World Series title. Because of finances, the team traded away ace starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow to the Dodgers this offseason. The Rays do that type of thing every winter. Tampa Bay is set at over-under 84.5 wins this year and +120 to make the playoffs with no at -140. That postseason streak likely ends in 2024.
Toronto reached the playoffs for the third time in four seasons in 2023 but yet again was swept 2-0 in the AL Wild Card Series, this time by Minnesota. The Blue Jays chased the biggest free-agent fish in MLB history this offseason in Shohei Ohtani but came in second to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Toronto is set at over-under 86.5 wins. It is -125 to make the playoffs and +105 to miss.
Tampa Bay won the 2023 season series 7-6 and was 4-3 at Tropicana Field. The Jays haven’t won the season series since 2017.
Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto opens the season short-handed in the bullpen with closer Jordan Romano and setup man Erik Swanson both injured. Yimi García and Chad Green could share closer duties early on. Former NL MVP and Canadian legend Joey Votto, signed by the Jays earlier this month, will remain in extended spring training off an ankle injury. DH Daniel Vogelbach, infielder Ernie Clement and utility player Davis Schneider all made Toronto’s Opening Day roster. That every-day Blue Jays lineup won’t look too different with the big subtraction being third baseman Matt Chapman and the big addition DH Justin Turner. Righty Jose Berrios gets the Opening Day start with ace Kevin Gausman still ramping up. The 29-year-old Berrios had a bounce-back 2023 season in finishing 11-12 with a 3.65 ERA in 32 starts. He was 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in two starts vs. Tampa Bay. Randy Arozarena has had some success against him, going 4-for-11 with a double.
Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays have one of the top prospects in the sport in infielder Junior Caminero, but he will open the season in the minors as the team doesn’t really have a full-time spot for him in the Show yet. That Caminero pans out eventually is even more important because former Rays All-Star shortstop Wander Franco may never play in MLB again due to some legal problems. Tampa Bay is also not fully healthy at the moment with two lefty hitters, outfielder Josh Lowe and infielder Jonathan Aranda, out due to injury. Righty Zach Eflin takes the hill for his first career Opening Day start. He was a rare big free-agent signing by this franchise last offseason and delivered a fine 2023 at 16-8 with a 3.50 ERA in 31 starts. His lone outing vs. Toronto was at Tropicana Field last May and Eflin allowed one run over seven in a victory. The Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is 1-for-7 career off him.