David Price (17-5, 2.34 ERA) and the Toronto Blue Jays (88-65) take on Chris Archer (12-12, 2.92 ERA) and the Tampa Bay Rays (75-79) in a game that has the potential to be low scoring. This is the second of a three-game series at the Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays won the last game 5-3 and Toronto leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 1:07 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sep. 26 and can be seen on SUN and RSN.
Price pitched 7.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering zero runs, striking out seven and walking one in a 4-2 win over the Yankees. Josh Donaldson (.301, 118 Rs, 40 HRs, 121 RBIs, 6 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI. Archer went 5.0 innings, surrendering one run, striking out three and walking five in an 8-7 defeat to the Red Sox in his last outing. Steven Souza Jr. (.223, 52 Rs, 16 HRs, 39 RBIs, 12 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one RBI.
Toronto is a -170 favorite against Tampa Bay and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Blue Jays have recorded an overall money line of +830 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 67-36. Within its division, Toronto has a 22-18 record as favorite and a 36-30 record SU. The Blue Jays lead the MLB in extra base hits with 519. Toronto leads the whole AL in walks, earning an average of 3.5 per game. Turning to the pitchers, opposing offenses have been stifled by the Blue Jays, who have a team ERA of only 3.77. The Blue Jays are the fourth-best team in the AL at limiting hits to their opponents, allowing only 8.4 hits per game so far this season.
In games where it is the underdog, Tampa Bay has a 39-41 record and an overall money line of -659. They played solid baseball as the underdog over their last 10 games with a 4-1 record, and a 6-4 record SU.
The Rays lead the season series, 8-6. The Blue Jays have a 67-51 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Archer takes the mound. Price (LHP) will be on the hill against the Rays, who have a 28-20 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Tor, O/U – Under
Notes
Tampa Bay has won 48% (30-33) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Toronto has won 61% (41-26) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Rays managed to give up six walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Blue Jays who are heading in with a 22-5 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rays are 54-25. The Blue Jays have a 71-7 record when outhitting opponents.
Toronto ranks at the top of the league when it comes to runs with 838 this season. Tampa Bay ranks near the bottom at 27th with 598.
Toronto ranks at the top of the league when it comes to walks with 535 this season. Tampa Bay ranks in the bottom half at 20th with 422.
When the Blue Jays hit at least one home run, they are 78-35. When the Rays hit at least one homer, they have a 57-43 record.
