Tampa Bay Rays (35-14) vs Toronto Blue Jays (25-23)
Game Info: Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 6:40 pm (Tropicana Field)
Shane McClanahan (7-0) (2.05) vs Yusei Kikuchi (5-1) (4.08)
Betting Odds: Tampa Bay Rays -192 / Toronto Blue Jays +145 --- Over/Under: 8 Click Here for the Latest Odds
The Tampa Bay Rays will host the Toronto Blue Jays for game three of their divisional set this Wednesday from Tropicana Field on the MLB Network. Toronto exploded for a big, humbling victory, 20-1.
Blue Jays Betting Preview
Toronto moved to 26-23 after taking down Tampa. The Blue Jays exploded for twenty runs and they’ll face the uphill battle of facing Shane McClanhan at home. The Toronto offense is scoring 4.85 runs per game, while batting .258, with a .330 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 3.92 ERA, with a 1.27 WHIP. Bo Bichette collected three hits in the blowout win, and he leads the team in batting (.324) and (68). Vlad Guerrero Jr. produced a whopping six runs in the lopsided victory, and he now leads Toronto in RBI (33). Matt Chapman collected three RBIs himself to bring his splits to .303/7/27.
Yusei Kikuchi (5-1, 4.08 ERA, 33 Ks) will take the mound for Toronto. The fifth-year lefty has struggled a bit in May, and he heads into this matchup on the heels of his first loss of the season to Baltimore. Kikuchi gave up three runs before being pulled in the fourth inning, marking the third time that’s occurred in four starts. Kikuchi’s record may be a bit deceiving, and he might struggle against Tampa here.
Rays Betting Preview
Tampa Bay comes in at 35-15 after falling to Toronto. The Rays were blitzed by the Jays in game two, and they’ll look to respond abruptly here. The Tampa offense is scoring 5.78 runs per game, while batting .272, with a .346 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 3.31 ERA, with a 1.15 WHIP. Yandy Diaz had his twelve-game hit streak snapped in the loss, and he now leads Tampa in batting (.322) and runs scored (35). Randy Arozarena homered in the game one victory, and he leads the team in RBI (37).
Shane McClanahan (7-0, 2.05 ERA, 2 Ks) will take the mound for Tampa. The third-year pitcher has made his Cy Young case early, and his last outing versus Milwaukee may have been his best of the season. McClanahan struck out seven over seven shutout innings against the Brew Crew en route to another Rays victory. McClanahan has pitched seven quality starts in his first ten appearances, and he’s only allowed more than two runs twice.
Toronto vs Tampa Trends
Toronto is 23-26 against the spread this season, with a 24-23-2 O/U record. Tampa is 29-21 ATS this year, with a 29-18-3 over/under record.
Corey’s Free Pick
How well Tampa responds to such a spanking with their ace on the mound at home will go a long way here. The Rays have arguably been the best team in baseball, but they were humbled in their own building last night, and I think they respond here. Yusei Kikuchi is set to go for Toronto, so Tampa should have minimal trouble providing Shane McClanahan with the necessary run support. Back Tampa Bay for game three of this AL East series, and double down with the Over, with both sides possessing the firepower to hit the magic number.
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Corey’s Pick Rays -1.5
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
Mitch's Take...
