Free MLB Picks Today: Tampa Bay Rays vs Toronto Blue Jays 5/23/23

Free MLB Picks Today: Tampa Bay Rays vs Toronto Blue Jays 5/23/23
Tue 23rd May 2023

Yandy Diaz will be looking to extend his 19-game on-base streak as the Tampa Bay Rays (35-14) host the Toronto Blue Jays (25-23) at Tropicana Field on Tuesday. The Rays took Monday’s series opener 6-4, their second head-to-head victory in four games this season.

Josh Fleming threw six innings out of the bullpen to get the win, and Pete Fairbanks threw 0.2 scoreless innings to pick up his fifth save.

Randy Arozarena went 2 for 4 with a home run and a double in the win. He scored two runs. Jose Siri added a home run and two RBIs. Whit Merrifield was 4 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs for the Blue Jays.

ON THE MOUND

Jose Berrios (3-4, 4.61 ERA) is in line to start for Toronto. The righty allowed three runs over 6.2 innings in his last start, a 4-2 road defeat against the Yankees on Thursday. He was charged with the loss, scattering six hits while striking out eight and walking one.

Berrios has made one previous start against the Rays this season, a 6-3 home victory on April 14. He surrendered one run on four hits over five innings, striking out six.

Right-hander Taj Bradley (3-0, 3.54 ERA) takes the mound for Tampa Bay. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Blue Jays. In his last start on Thursday, Bradley took a no-decision on the road against the Mets. He threw five innings and gave up two runs on three hits, striking out four and walking two in the 3-2 loss.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Toronto has averaged only 3.2 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.5, due in part to diminished slugging (.402 vs .409). Against right-handed pitchers like Bradley this season, the Jays have a .739 OPS.

Brandon Belt is the team’s biggest on-base threat against right-handers with a .382 OBP in 99 at-bats. Tampa Bay is averaging only 4.2 runs per game in the last five, down from 6.0 for the season, with their slash line falling across the board (.229/.293/.438).

The Rays have ann .827 OPS against right-handers in 2023, highest in MLB. With a .639 slugging percentage over 123 at-bats, Josh Lowe has been their best power hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Toronto is on a three-game losing streak away from Rogers Centre, bringing their record to 12-14 in 2023. The Jays have scored 4.8 runs per game away from home, while allowing 5.1 runs.

Tampa Bay has gone 22-4 at home this season, averaging 5.8 runs per game while surrendering 2.8. Tampa Bay is 6-4 in the last 10 games between the AL East rivals at Tropicana Field with an average scoreline of 4.1-3.7.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Rays lead the AL East by three games over the Orioles. The Blue Jays are fifth in the AL East, nine games behind the Rays.

SportsTips’ MLB Pick:

TB Rays (-125)

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

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