Chris Archer (12-13, 3.26 ERA) and the Tampa Bay Rays (78-82) square off against Marco Estrada (13-8, 3.15 ERA) and the Toronto Blue Jays (93-67) in a game that has the potential to be low scoring. This is the second of a three-game series at Tropicana Field. The Blue Jays won the last game 8-4 and Toronto leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 6:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 3 and can be seen on SUN and RSN.
Archer pitched 3.2 innings in his last outing, surrendering nine runs, striking out three and walking five in a 10-8 defeat to the Blue Jays. Estrada went 7.1 innings, surrendering three runs, striking out two and walking one in a 4-3 defeat to the Orioles in his most recent start. Josh Donaldson (.301, 122 Rs, 41 HRs, 123 RBIs, 6 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Blue Jays, going 2 for 5 yesterday.
Tampa Bay is a -121 favorite against Toronto and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Rays have an overall money line of -757 and a record as the favorite of 38-37. Tampa Bay is unbeaten as the favorite and has a 6-4 SU record in its last ten outings. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Rays, who lead the AL in strikeouts per home game with 8.9.
In games where it is the underdog, Toronto has a 21-31 record and an overall money line of +1,230. They have been playing solid baseball as the underdog with a 15-14 record against AL East rivals, and a 42-32 record SU. Offensively, they average five runs per game on the road, which is the best in the AL. The Blue Jays can change the game with one swing of the bat, leading the league with 229 home runs. Toronto is excellent at drawing walks with an AL-best 3.5 per game. Toronto’s pitching staff is one of the top in the AL, with a 3.80 ERA. When it comes to issuing walks, the Blue Jays have the fewest in the AL with only 2.5 walks allowed per game.
The Blue Jays lead the season series, 9-8. The Rays have a 49-59 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Estrada takes the mound. Archer (RHP) will be on the hill against the Blue Jays, who have a 73-53 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Tor, O/U – Over
Notes
Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home.
Tampa Bay is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto.
Toronto is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road.
The Rays hold a 34-40 record this season against teams in the AL East Division. The Blue Jays’ record in these matchups is 42-32.
The Rays are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Blue Jays have a 15-16 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Blue Jays are 13-54. The Rays have a 14-50 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking first in home runs, Toronto has hit 229 this season. Tampa Bay ranks 14th with 162 home runs.
Ranking 10th, Tampa Bay is in the top 10 of the league in hits, notching 8.54 per game. Toronto ranks in the top five at fourth with 9.13.
Toronto tops the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage of .801 this season. Tampa Bay ranks in the bottom half at 18th with an OPS of .722.
When the Blue Jays allow at least one home run, they are 55-48. When the Rays allow one or more homers, they have a 35-62 record.
