In the last of a three-game series between the Tampa Bay Rays (11-12) and the Toronto Blue Jays (11-14) at Tropicana Field, Jake Odorizzi (0-1, 3.58 ERA) and Marcus Stroman (3-0, 4.37 ERA) get the ball. The Rays won the last game 4-3, and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game starts at 1:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, May. 1 and will air on RSN and SUN.
In his most recent outing, Odorizzi pitched 5.0 innings, allowing one run, striking out one and walking one in a 3-1 victory over the Orioles. Logan Forsythe (.341, 14 Rs, 4 HRs, 10 RBIs, 3 SBs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 3 for 3 with one run, one home run, and two RBIs. The Blue Jays were unsuccessful the last time Stroman pitched. He did not do well, pitching 6.2 innings, allowing four runs, striking out four and walking two in a 7-5 loss to the White Sox. Jose Bautista (.250, 16 Rs, 5 HRs, 18 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and two RBIs.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. Against teams in the AL East, the Rays have a SU record of 9-10. Over their past 10 games, Tampa Bay’s offense has been playing lights out, averaging 0.0 runs per game, well over their season average of 0.0. The most recent 10 game stretch for Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has gone great. Over that span, Tampa Bay’s opponents are averaging 0.0 runs per game, below their season average of 0.0. The Rays don’t allow many hitters to get on base, ranking third in the league with a 1.095 WHIP.
Against divisional opponents, the Blue Jays are 8-9 SU. During the last 10 games, they averaged 0.0 runs per game, above their 0.0 season average. Opposing pitchers have routinely struggled to strike out the Toronto batters, who rank fifth in the AL with 9.3 strikeouts per game. The last 10 games have really brought the best out of the Toronto pitchers. They’ve allowed 0.0 runs per game during that span, which is lower than their season average of 0.0.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR
Notes
In their last game, the Blue Jays lost by a margin of one run. The Rays are 3-2 in one-run games. The Blue Jays have a 2-6 record in close games.
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 coming in with a 2-3 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Blue Jays are 2-11. The Rays have a 2-7 record when opponents outhit them.
Tampa Bay ranks in the top half of the league when it comes to home runs, hitting 27 this season. Toronto ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 29.
Tampa Bay and Toronto both rank near the bottom of the league in hits. Tampa Bay sits at 29th with 7.35 hits per game and Toronto ranks 24th with 7.60.
Ranking 23rd, Tampa Bay is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.683). Toronto ranks in the top half with an OPS of .711.
When the Blue Jays allow at least one home run, they are 8-8. When the Rays allow one or more homers, they have a 5-11 record.
