Alek Manoah, one of this season’s stingiest pitchers, leads the way for the Toronto Blue Jays (79-61) as they host the Tampa Bay Rays (78-61) at Rogers Centre on Tuesday in a doubleheader. The Blue Jays took Monday’s series opener 3-2, their fifth head-to-head victory in 11 games this season. Reliever Tim Mayza threw 0.1 scoreless innings to get the win, and Jordan Romano picked up his 33rd save with a scoreless ninth. Bo Bichette’s on-base streak is up to 11 as he went 2 for 3 with a home run and three RBIs in the win. Manuel Margot was 2 for 4 with a double and one RBI for the Rays.
ON THE MOUND
Jeffrey Springs (7-4, 2.54 ERA) is set to start for Tampa Bay in the first game of the doubleheader. The southpaw threw three scoreless innings in his last start, a 1-0 road win over the Red Sox on Wednesday. He scattered one hit while striking out two and walking one in the no-decision. Springs has made one previous start against the Blue Jays this season, a 3-0 home victory on May 15. He allowed four hits over 4.2 scoreless innings, striking out two. Righty Manoah (14-7, 2.42 ERA) is on the mound for Toronto. He has made one prior start against the Rays this season, giving up three runs (1 ER) over six innings in a 3-0 road defeat on May 15. He gave up five hits while striking out four in the loss. In his last start on Wednesday, Manoah got the win on the road against the Orioles. He threw eight innings and gave up one run on three hits, striking out five and walking one in the 4-1 victory. The RHP is tied for third in the AL in wins and fourth in ERA.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Tampa Bay has averaged only 2.8 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.2, while performing worse across the board (.229/.285/.295). Against righties like Manoah this season, the Rays have a .688 OPS. Yandy Diaz has been the team’s biggest on-base threat against right-handers with a .403 OBP in 326 at-bats. Toronto is averaging only 4.6 runs per game in the last five, consistent with their season average. The Jays have a .745 OPS against left-handers in 2022. With a .819 OPS over 106 at-bats, Santiago Espinal has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Tampa Bay is on a three-game losing streak in road games, bringing their record to 31-37 in 2022. The Rays have scored 4.3 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.2 runs. Toronto has gone 39-29 at their home park this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 4.5. Toronto is 6-4 in the last 10 games between the AL East rivals at Rogers Centre with an average scoreline of 4.8-3.8.
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, five games behind the Yankees. They currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting second.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Toronto Blue Jays
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
