Free MLB Picks Today: Toronto Blue Jays vs Tampa Bay Rays 9/14/22

Free MLB Picks Today: Toronto Blue Jays vs Tampa Bay Rays 9/14/22
Wed 14th September 2022

The Toronto Blue Jays (+175) host the Tampa Bay Rays (-210) at Rogers Centre on Wednesday. The early total was set at 7.5 (O: -120 | U: +100). The Blue Jays (80-62) maintain their 2-1 lead in the series after splitting Tuesday’s doubleheader. After the Rays took the opener 4-2, Toronto bounced back with a 7-2 win in the nightcap, their sixth head-to-head victory in 13 games this season. Anthony Bass threw 0.1 scoreless innings in relief to get the win. Whit Merrifield went 1 for 1 with a double, one run, and two RBIs in the win. Ji-Man Choi was 1 for 1 with a solo home run and two walks for the Rays (79-62). Jonathan Aranda added a solo home run.

ON THE MOUND

Drew Rasmussen (10-4, 2.77 ERA) is slated to get the start for Tampa Bay. The right-hander threw six scoreless innings in his last start, a 4-2 road win over the Yankees on Friday. He earned the win, scattering six hits while striking out 10.Over three previous starts against the Blue Jays this season, Rasmussen has allowed only three earned runs over 16.1 innings (0-1, 1.65). He has struck out six and walked five. For Toronto, righty Ross Stripling (7-4, 3.03 ERA) gets the ball. He has made one prior start against the Rays this season, giving up four runs (3 ER) over 4.2 innings in a 7-3 home defeat on July 3. He gave up seven hits and walked one, while striking out three in the loss. In his last start on Friday, Stripling took a no-decision on the road against the Rangers. He threw six innings and gave up two runs on three hits, striking out four, in the 4-3 win.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Tampa Bay has averaged only 3.0 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.2, while slashing worse across the board (.231/.266/.302). Against righties like Stripling this season, the Rays have a .687 OPS. Yandy Diaz is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a .801 OPS in 326 at-bats. Toronto is averaging 4.8 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 4.7 for the season. The Jays have a .756 OPS against right-handers in 2022, second highest in the league. With a .388 OBP over 462 at-bats, Alejandro Kirk has their highest on-base percentage against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Tampa Bay is 32-38 on the road in 2022, scoring 4.2 runs per game while allowing 4.2 runs. Toronto has gone 40-30 at Rogers Centre this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 4.5. In the last 10 games at Rogers Centre between the AL East rivals, each club has won five, though Toronto has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.1-4.0.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Rays are third in the AL East, six games behind the division-leading Yankees. They currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting third with a magic number of zero. The Blue Jays are second in the AL East, six games behind the Yankees. They currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting first.

SportsTips’ MLB Pick:

Toronto Blue Jays (-120)

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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.

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