:format(webp)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/sports-betting/2022/08/02/blue-jays-vs-rays-picks-and-odds-gausman-and-rasmussen-should-keep-scoring-down/2022-08-Kevin-Gausman.jpg "Partner Content | Blue Jays vs. Rays picks and odds: Gausman and Rasmussen should keep scoring down")
Partner Content | Blue Jays vs. Rays picks and odds: Gausman and Rasmussen should keep scoring down
It’s a new month, and a new series will get underway for the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field tonight.
The pregame narrative: The Blue Jays return to The Trop, where they dropped two of three back in May. Right now, Toronto is riding a 12-3 heater and Tampa Bay has lost seven of nine.
Check out our Blue Jays vs. Rays picks for August 2.
Blue Jays vs. Rays picks overview
- Under 7.5 runs (-129)
- Blue Jays to score first + win (+115)
- Under 3.5 runs, first five innings (-103)
Blue Jays vs. Rays picks
Best bet: Under 7.5 runs (-129)
Toronto is one of the highest-scoring teams in the majors (4.85 runs/game, third in MLB), but it hasn’t looked like that recently.
The Blue Jays have hit the under in five consecutive games, and now they’re seeing their lowest over/under total in three weeks.
Read more: Blue Jays betting trends
That has something to do with the Rays, too. They rank 22nd in scoring (4.12 runs/game) and have scored three or fewer runs in seven of their past nine games. Here’s how these teams have fared offensively over the past 10 days:
| Team | Runs/game | wRC+ | OPS |
| Blue Jays | 5.0 | 105 | .735 |
| Rays | 2.75 | 96 | .671 |
Kevin Gausman (3.30 ERA) and Drew Rasmussen (3.17 ERA) likely won’t make matters easier for these offences. Gausman has suffered a few blowups since June, but he’s got a 2.35 ERA over his past four road starts.
As for Rasmussen, his 1.77 ERA in four starts against the Blue Jays — all since 2021 — also helps our case.
Key stat: All three Blue Jays/Rays matchups at Tropicana Field this season have fallen under this line.
Quick picks
Blue Jays to score first + win (+115): As winners in 12 of their past 15 games, the Blue Jays have probably earned their status as favourites (-148) in Tuesday’s matchup. We want to cut that juice by backing the road team to score first.
Toronto has plated the first run in three of its past four games overall, as well as five of its past six road games. When you also consider that Tampa has lost seven of its past nine games, the value is clear.
Read more: Odds to win the AL Cy Young
Under 3.5 runs, first five innings (-103): We’ve hyped up the starting pitchers and highlighted both sides’ current mediocrity on offence. What did you expect?
Yes, it’s a low line, but it’s one these teams stayed under for all three games at The Trop in May. And with both clubs coming off an off-day, either manager could make a quick hook to a rested bullpen if things start getting messy.
Odds as of 9:34 a.m. ET on 08/02/22.
Disclaimer This content was produced as part of a partnership and therefore it may not meet the standards of impartial or independent journalism.
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