R.A. Dickey (0-0, 1.42 ERA) and Jake Odorizzi (1-0, 0.00 ERA) are on the hill in the first of a four-game series between the Toronto Blue Jays (4-2) and the Tampa Bay Rays (3-3) at the Rogers Centre. Action begins at 7:07 p.m. ET on Monday, Apr. 13 and can be seen on SunSports and RSN.
Dickey is 6-5 with a 4.14 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 81 strikeouts against the Rays. Jose Reyes (.417 ) had a good game yesterday, going 3 for 5 with one run and one RBI. When pitching against the Blue Jays, Odorizzi is 1-0 with a 2.37 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 16 strikeouts. Kevin Kiermaier (.381 ) has been successful at the plate to the start the season for the Rays, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run.
Toronto is a -146 favorite against Tampa Bay and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs.
In games where it is the underdog, Tampa Bay has a 1-2 record and an overall money line of -122. The Rays have a dynamic offense, ranking third in the league with 22 extra base hits. Tampa Bay is excellent at drawing walks with 4.8 per game, ranking second in the AL. The Rays have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 9.0 strikeouts per game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
Predictions: SU Winner – TOR, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Toronto is 1-0, while Tampa Bay is 1-2.
The Rays are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Blue Jays have a 1-1 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Blue Jays and the Rays are both undefeated. Toronto has a 4-0 record in these situations while Tampa Bay is 3-0.
Ranking ninth, Tampa Bay sits in the top 10 of the league in runs, scoring 28 this season. Toronto ranks in the top five at second with 38.
Ranking ninth, Toronto is in the top 10 of the league in walks, notching 18 this season. Tampa Bay ranks in the top five at third with 27.
When the Blue Jays hit at least one home run, they are 3-0. When the Rays hit at least one homer, they have a 2-3 record.
