Erasmo Ramirez (0-1, 21.32 ERA) and Daniel Norris (1-1, 6.08 ERA) start in the second of a three-game series between the Tampa Bay Rays (9-8) and the Toronto Blue Jays (9-8) at Tropicana Field. The Rays won the last game 12-3 and Tampa Bay leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 6:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 25 and can be seen on RSN and SunSports.
Ramirez is 1-1 with an 8.31 ERA in his appearances against the Blue Jays, and goes up against a quality Toronto offense which is batting .257 this season. Tim Beckham (.278, 7 Rs, 3 HRs, 8 RBIs, 1 SB) had a good game yesterday, going 2 for 2 with one run, one home run, and two RBIs. Against the Rays, Norris is 0-0 with a 3.60 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and four strikeouts. Devon Travis (.375, 12 Rs, 5 HRs, 16 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
The odds for Tampa Bay and Toronto are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available. Within its division, Tampa Bay has a record of 6-7 SU. The Rays have seen a decline in scoring against teams inside their division, averaging 3.1 runs per game. They average 3.8 runs per game on the season. Tampa Bay is one of the best in the AL in terms of walks, earning an average of 3.9 per game. As for the pitchers, opponents have consistently been struck out by the Rays, who rank fourth in the AL in strikeouts per home game with 8.8.
The Blue Jays are 8-5 against teams in their division. Offensively, they average 5.9 runs per game, which is tops in the AL. The Blue Jays have a dynamic offense, ranking third in the league with 60 extra base hits. Toronto is excellent at drawing walks with 3.6 per game, ranking fifth in the AL.
The Rays lead the season series, 4-1. Ramirez (RHP) will be on the hill against the Blue Jays, who have a 7-7 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Toronto is 5-1, while Tampa Bay is 3-4.
The Rays are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Blue Jays have a 1-3 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
The Rays and the Blue Jays are both 1-6 when they are outhit.
Toronto tops the league in home runs with 24 this season. Tampa Bay ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 18.
Ranking 11th, Tampa Bay is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 7.44 per game. Toronto ranks in the top five at fifth with 8.63.
Ranking 10th, Tampa Bay is in the top 10 of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.723). Toronto ranks in the top five at fifth with an OPS of .780.
When the Blue Jays allow at least one home run, they are 8-5. When the Rays allow one or more homers, they have a 3-5 record.
