In the last of a three-game series between the Tampa Bay Rays (41-32) and the Toronto Blue Jays (41-32) at Tropicana Field, Nathan Karns (4-3, 3.53 ERA) and Marco Estrada (5-3, 3.92 ERA) get the ball. The Rays won the last game 4-3 and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game gets underway at 12:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Jun. 24 and will air on RSN and SunSports.
In his most recent outing, Karns pitched 5.1 innings, giving up one run, striking out four and walking one in a 4-1 victory over the Indians. Joey Butler (.338, 19 Rs, 6 HRs, 20 RBIs, 5 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run and one RBI. In his pitching opportunities against the Rays, Estrada is 0-1 with a 1.12 ERA, seven strikeouts and three walks. Chris Colabello (.347, 29 Rs, 5 HRs, 26 RBIs, 2 SBs) has been doing well offensively for the Blue Jays, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run and two RBIs.
Tampa Bay is favored by a slight -111 margin in its matchup against Toronto. The matchup currently has a seven-run Over/Under (O/U). When playing as the favorite, the Rays have a 19-15 record and overall money line at +817. They have an 18-15 record SU and are 7-7 as favorite within their division. The Rays are a nightmare for opponents on the bases with 55 steals, one of the highest totals in baseball. Transitioning to the pitching staff, the Rays are fifth in the league in WHIP at 1.20. The have been extremely effective at striking opposing batters out at Tropicana Field, averaging 8.8 strikeouts per home game.
Moving on to the away team, the Blue Jays come into this game with a win percentage of .429 when playing as the underdog (15-20) and an overall money line of +189. Against divisional foes, they are 19-16 SU and 10-10 as the underdog. They sport the top-ranked offense in the AL, averaging five runs per game. The Blue Jays are known for their bats, hitting a league-leading 252 extra base hits. Toronto has an eye for the strike zone, ranking 3.3 in the AL with second walks per game.
The Rays had the upper hand against the Blue Jays in their previous nine games this season, earning a 7-2 record. The Rays will take on a right-hander (Estrada) in this game and have a 26-24 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Blue Jays will be the right-hander Karns. They sport a 27-30 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR, O/U – Over
Notes
In their last game, the Blue Jays lost by a margin of one run. The Rays are 11-12 in one-run games. The Blue Jays have a 7-15 record in close games.
When the Rays and the Blue Jays play into extra innings, both teams have a 2-2 record.
The Blue Jays managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Rays who are heading in with a 14-5 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rays are 27-7. The Blue Jays have a 33-5 record when outhitting opponents.
Toronto tops the league in runs with 404 this season. Tampa Bay ranks near the bottom at 23rd with 273.
Ranking 18th, Tampa Bay is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 201 this season. Toronto ranks in the top five at third with 239.
When the Rays hit at least one home run, they are 29-17, well-matched with the Blue Jays who are 33-18 when hitting one or more homers.
