R.A. Dickey (8-12, 4.49 ERA) and Jake Odorizzi (6-5, 3.70 ERA) start in the first of a three-game series between the Toronto Blue Jays (63-49) and the Tampa Bay Rays (45-65) at the Rogers Centre. Action begins at 7:07 p.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 8 and can be seen on RSN and SUN.
Dickey pitched 7.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering one run and striking out five in a 2-1 win over the Astros. Josh Donaldson (.296, 90 Rs, 27 HRs, 77 RBIs, 6 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday. Odorizzi went 6.0 innings, surrendering zero runs, striking out six and walking two in a 12-0 win over the Royals in his most recent start. Evan Longoria (.281, 55 Rs, 25 HRs, 61 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
Toronto is a -142 favorite against Tampa Bay and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at nine runs. The Blue Jays have recorded an overall money line of zero and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 51-33. Toronto has had an impressive season against division opponents, earning 18-11 and 25-20 records as the favorite and SU, respectively. The Blue Jays have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 3.4 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 4.8 runs per game. The Blue Jays are one of the best in the MLB in terms of extra base hits with 369. As for the Toronto defense and pitching staff, it’s been a struggle for opposing teams to score runs against the Blue Jays. The 4.1 runs that Toronto’s pitchers allow per game makes them the second-ranked staff in the AL. The Blue Jays are the fourth-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.205 so far this season.
In the other locker room, Tampa Bay is coming in with an overall money line of -2,727 and a disappointing record of 18-29 as the underdog. They have played poorly as the underdog with a 9-13 record against AL East opponents, and a 6-4 record SU. The Rays allow 4.4 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 3.0 runs per game during that span. When it comes to preventing batters from getting hits, the Rays are fifth in the AL with an average of 8.6 hits allowed per game. The Rays have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 8.4 strikeouts per game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
The Rays lead the season series, 6-4. The Blue Jays have a 48-32 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Odorizzi takes the mound. Dickey (RHP) will be on the hill against the Rays, who have a 33-51 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR, O/U – Over
Notes
Toronto recorded at least two errors for the 14th time this season.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Blue Jays are going to have to step it up if they want to win this matchup. The Rays have a 13-2 record in games where opponents scored one run or less.
When they are outhit, the Rays are 10-48. The Blue Jays have an 8-37 record when opponents outhit them.
Tampa Bay ranks in the top 10 of the league at eighth when it comes to home runs, hitting 144 this season. Toronto ranks in the top five with 159.
Toronto and Tampa Bay both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Toronto sits at 12th with 8.41 hits per game and Tampa Bay ranks 15th with 8.03.
Ranking 20th, Tampa Bay is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.726). Toronto ranks in the top 10 at ninth with an OPS of .758.
When the Rays allow at least one home run, they are 24-58. When the Blue Jays allow one or more homers, they have a 37-37 record.
