The Tampa Bay Rays (34-14), one of the best offenses in the league, are set to host the Toronto Blue Jays (25-22) at Tropicana Field on Monday for the opener of a four-game series. The Blue Jays are embarking on a seven-game road trip after closing out a 10-game homestand (4-6).
They were just swept in three games against the Orioles, dropping the finale 8-3 on Sunday at Rogers Centre for their fourth straight loss. Matt Chapman was 1 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs.
The Rays are in the midst of a 10-game homestand. They won two of three against the Brewers in their last series, dropping the finale 6-4 on Sunday at Tropicana Field. Josh Lowe went 3 for 4 with a home run and four RBIs.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Blue Jays have won two of three in the season series between the AL East rivals, although they suffered an 8-1 defeat in their last meeting on April 16 at Rogers Centre. Starter Shane McClanahan went six innings, allowing one run on four hits and striking out six, to get the win.
ON THE MOUND
Chris Bassitt (5-2, 3.05 ERA) is set to take the mound for Toronto. The righty is tied for fourth in the AL in wins. Bassitt threw seven scoreless innings in his last start, a 3-0 road win over the Yankees on Wednesday. He yielded three hits while striking out seven and walking one in the no-decision.
AT THE PLATE
The Toronto offense is averaging 4.6 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .256/.327/.406. Chapman leads the team in OPS at .880. The third baseman is slashing .300/.380/.500 with six home runs, 24 RBIs, and 23 runs over 46 games.
Over the last five games, though, Toronto has averaged only 3.0 runs a game while performing worse across the board (.253/.323/.374). Tampa Bay is slashing .273/.347/.503 for the season and averaging 6.0 runs per game, second best in MLB.
Four Rays hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Yandy Diaz (1.054). The third baseman has 11 home runs, 27 RBIs, and 34 runs scored with a slash line of .333/.436/.618.
Tampa Bay is averaging only 4.4 runs per game in the last five with their slash line dropping across the board (.236/.313/.416). The Rays have ann .828 OPS against righties in 2023, highest in MLB. With a 1.076 OPS over 115 at-bats, Diaz also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Toronto is 12-13 away from home in 2023, scoring 4.8 runs per game while allowing 5.1 runs. Tampa Bay has gone 21-4 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 5.8 runs per game while surrendering 2.7. Tampa Bay is 6-4 in the last 10 games at Tropicana Field between the teams with an average scoreline of 4.2-3.4.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Rays lead the AL East by three games over the Orioles. The Blue Jays are fifth in the AL East, eight games behind the Rays.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
TB Rays (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
