J.A. Happ (15-3, 3.09 ERA) and the Toronto Blue Jays (64-50) square off against Blake Snell (3-4, 2.95 ERA) and the Tampa Bay Rays (46-66) in a game that has the potential to be low scoring. This is the last of a three-game series at the Rogers Centre. The Rays won the last game 9-2, and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 7:07 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 10 and can be seen on RSN and SUN.
Happ pitched 6.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering one run, striking out six and walking one in a 4-1 win over the Astros. Josh Donaldson (.296, 90 Rs, 27 HRs, 77 RBIs, 6 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday. Snell went 5.1 innings, surrendering one run, striking out seven and walking two in a 6-2 defeat to the Twins in his last outing. Brad Miller (.263, 52 Rs, 20 HRs, 48 RBIs, 6 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Rays, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run.
This one isn’t expected to be close when Toronto, a substantial -190 favorite, takes on Tampa Bay. According to the oddsmakers, the Over/Under (O/U) is currently nine runs. Though the Blue Jays have had a tough season in terms of their overall money line (-94), they have done fairly well as a favorite with a record of 52-34. Toronto has had an impressive season against division opponents, earning 19-12 and 26-21 records as the favorite and SU, respectively. The Blue Jays have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 2.8 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 373. Toronto leads the whole AL in walks, earning an average of 3.8 per game. Opposing batters know they’re in for a battle when they play Toronto. The Blue Jays are one of the top teams when it comes to pitching, allowing just 4.1 runs per game. The Blue Jays are the fifth-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.217 so far this season.
In the other locker room, Tampa Bay is coming in with an overall money line of -2,644 and a disappointing record of 19-30 as the underdog. They are 10-14 as the underdog against teams in their division, and 19-23 SU. 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, 7-5. The Blue Jays have a 15-18 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Snell takes the mound. Happ (LHP) will be on the hill against the Rays, who have a 12-14 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR, O/U – Over
Notes
For the 15th time this season, the Blue Jays registered at least two errors in a game.
The Blue Jays managed to give up six walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Rays who are coming in with a 9-3 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Rays are 10-49. The Blue Jays have an 8-38 record when opponents outhit them.
Tampa Bay ranks in the top 10 of the league at seventh when it comes to home runs, hitting 146 this season. Toronto ranks in the top five with 160.
Toronto and Tampa Bay both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Toronto sits at 12th with 8.42 hits per game and Tampa Bay ranks 15th with 8.04.
Ranking 18th, Tampa Bay is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.730). Toronto ranks in the top 10 at ninth with an OPS of .758.
When the Rays allow at least one home run, they are 24-59. When the Blue Jays allow one or more homers, they have a 38-38 record.
