MLB Tuesday: Blue Jays vs Rays

AL East Divisional Matchup Tonight in Tampa Bay

The Toronto Blue Jays will play the second game of a three-game set this Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays sit just two games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. They’ll attempt to inch closer with a victory over the struggling Jays. Toronto has dropped two straight series and eight of their last 11 games. Tampa Bay is coming off of a series victory against the Cleveland Indians and a win in game one of this series. Every win is important for Tampa right now. The surging Yankees have taken over first place in the division and are working to widen the gap.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), TVA Sports (Toronto), FS Sun (Tampa Bay); LINE: Rays -185; O/U: 8.5 Under -120.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Clayton Richard (0-0, 2.25 ERA) vs. Rays RH Ryne Stanek (0-1, 3.18)

The Rays are stinging the ball during a stretch of five wins in six games. The streak has the team a season-best 13 games over .500. Tampa Bay (32-19) has scored at least six runs in each of the last five wins. Lead-off man Austin Meadows sparked the offense the last two days by going 7-for-9 with two homers and six RBI's. He lifted his batting average to .351 and slugging percentage to .679.

The slumping Blue Jays are losers of 19 of their last 26 games. They have watched the pitching staff allow at least six runs in each of the last six losses.

This, That, and a Dart Throw

The Blue Jays will send 35-year-old lefty Clayton Richard to the mound on Tuesday. It will be the second start of the year for the veteran. His first was a four-inning outing against the Boston Red Sox. He allowed just two hits and one earned run in his return from injury. Richard spent most of his career in the National League and owns a 0.79 ERA in three career games - one start - against Tampa Bay. The top four hitters in the Toronto lineup combined to go 0-for-14 with six strikeouts on Monday.

Rays right-hander Ryne Stanek owns a 1.64 ERA in 14 starts at home. He is expected to get the ball first on Tuesday. The bulk of the innings are likely to go to Ryan Yarbrough. He was recalled from the minors last week and started at Cleveland on Thursday. He allowed two runs and four hits in 7 1/2 innings to earn a win. Yarbrough worked two perfect relief innings to get the win at Toronto on April 12, striking out one. OF Tommy Pham is enjoying a 13-game hitting streak.

The Dart Throw: Rays 5, Blue Jays 2

MLB Betting Odds & Trends

Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Toronto is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Toronto's last 8 games
Toronto is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games on the road
Toronto is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
Toronto is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
Toronto is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Toronto is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Tampa Bay is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games at home
Tampa Bay is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
Tampa Bay is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing Toronto
Tampa Bay is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games when playing at home against Toronto
Tampa Bay is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Toronto

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