Blue Jays vs Rays Prediction 8/19/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Blue Jays vs Rays prediction for this MLB game on Wednesday, August 19th at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Toronto Blue Jays Betting Preview

The Toronto Blue Jays are 62-65 this season after they won game one by a score of 10-5 last night. Toronto scored the first six runs in the game and they picked up the relatively easy win. The Blue Jays recorded 17 hits in the game and they were led by Kirk, who went 3-6 with one home run and three RBIs. Soriano allowed nine hits and three earned runs over 5.2 innings for the win, while Waldron allowed two earned runs in relief. Prior to this series, Toronto won two out of three against the Yankees and three out of four against the Red Sox. 

This season, Toronto has a 3.96 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP and a .240 opponent batting average, while they have scored 502 runs with a .244 batting average and a .305 on base percentage. Kazuma Okamoto has led the Blue Jays with 25 home runs and 72 RBIs, while Andres Gimenez has added eight home runs and 49 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Toronto is Max Scherzer, who is 1-5 with a 6.59 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP over 41.0 innings pitched this season. 

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays are 75-50 this year after they lost game one by a score of 5-10 on Tuesday night. Tampa Bay cut the deficit to 6-3 in the fourth inning, but they allowed the next four runs to seal the loss. The Rays recorded 13 hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Walls, who went 1-4 with two RBIs. Martinez allowed nine hits and six earned runs over 3.2 innings for the loss, while Matz allowed two earned runs in relief. Prior to this series, Tampa Bay lost three out of four against the Orioles, but did win all three against the Athletics before that. 

This season, Tampa Bay has a 3.83 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP and a .233 opponent batting average, while they have scored 571 runs with a .262 batting average and a .332 on base percentage. Jonathan Aranda has led the Rays with 15 home runs and 76 RBIs, while Junior Caminero has added 35 home runs and 79 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Drew Rasmussen, who is 12-5 with a 2.78 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP over 129.1 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win

• The Blue Jays have lost 12 of their last 13 night games against the Rays at Tropicana Field following a road win.
• The Rays have won each of their last seven Wednesday games.
• The Rays have covered the run line in eight of their last nine night games against the Blue Jays at Tropicana Field following a home loss.
• The Blue Jays have failed to cover the run line in each of their last five night games against the Rays at Tropicana Field following a road win.

Why the Toronto Blue Jays will win

• The road team has won 14 of the Rays’ last 15 games.
• The Rays have lost five of their last six games as home favorites.
• The road team has covered the run line in 20 of the Rays’ last 21 games.
• The Rays have failed to cover the run line in each of their last nine games at Tropicana Field.
• The Blue Jays have led after 5 innings in four of their last five road games against opponents that held a winning record.

Total Runs Facts

• Seven of the Rays’ last eight games have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Seven of the Blue Jays’ last eight games as road underdogs have gone OVER the total runs line.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of Drew Rasmussen’s last four appearances as a starter.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in 11 of the Blue Jays’ last 13 games against American League opponents.

Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts

• Drew Rasmussen has recorded eight or more strikeouts in three of his last four appearances against AL opponents.
• Chandler Simpson has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 13 appearances after playing the previous day.
• Drew Rasmussen has recorded a win in each of his last five appearances against AL opponents.
• Nick Fortes has hit a home run in two of his last three appearances against the Blue Jays.

Toronto Blue Jays Player Prop Facts

• Alejandro Kirk has hit a home run in each of the Blue Jays’ last two night games against opponents that held a winning record.
• Max Scherzer has recorded four or more strikeouts in each of his last nine appearances against the Rays.
• Alejandro Kirk has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 11 appearances against AL East opponents.

Blue Jays vs Rays Prediction 

Tampa Bay comes into this matchup after losing four of their last five games and they have allowed 36 runs in their last five. The Rays are 42-22 at home this year, while the Blue Jays are 29-32 on the road. Toronto has won three of their last four games and they have allowed one run in two of those four. The Jays are starting Scherzer, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four straight starts, while Rasmussen has allowed four total earned runs in his last 30.0 innings. Take the Rays -1.5 here.

David Racey's Pick: Rays -1.5