Jays vs Rays Lines: Rays Favored for Home Opener Win
AL East Rivals Open Campaign in Florida
The Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays begin their quests for a return to the MLB postseason when they open the 2024 campaign with the first of a four-game weekend series on Thursday in St. Petersburg, Fl. The Rays finished second in the AL East a season ago but fell in the Wild Card round of the playoffs to the eventual World Series champion Texas Rangers.
Toronto was third in the AL East in 2023 but also made the postseason, losing to the Minnesota Twins in the Wild Card round. The Jays vs Rays lines are giving the edge to the home team in this game, with Tampa Bay getting -126 odds on the moneyline compared to Toronto’s +116. The run line has the Rays at -1.5 runs at +160 odds, while the over/under has been set at 7.5 runs.
Blue Jays vs Rays 
Location: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Day/Time:
Streaming: MLB.TV
Blue Jays Look for More in 2024
Toronto is looking to take a step forward in 2024 after two straight seasons of being swept out of the playoffs in the opening round. The Blue Jays failed to win a game against the Minnesota Twins in 2023, one year after Seattle swept Toronto in two games in 2022.
The Blue Jays can light up MLB box scores with a dynamic batting lineup that includes young hitters like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and George Springer, and now Toronto has added veteran Justin Turner to its roster. Toronto should be able to light up the scoreboard if everyone is hitting, but that wasn’t always the case in 2023, with the Blue Jays sitting 14th among MLB stat leaders in runs scored.
Right-hander Jose Berrios is expected to get the start for Thursday’s season opener. He’s coming off a 2023 campaign that saw him go 11-12 with a 3.65 ERA with 184 strikeouts. Berrios lost his last three starts in 2023, including a playoff game against Minnesota, so he’s looking for a fresh start this season.
Rays Start Season Short-Handed
MLB injuries are a part of the game, but the Rays didn’t plan to lose a couple of key hitters, Josh Lowe and Jonathan Aranda, to injuries before the 2024 campaign even started. Both were hurt in spring training and won’t be in the opening day lineup for Tampa Bay.
Right-hander Zach Eflin is expected to make his first-ever Opening Day start for Tampa Bay. The 29-year-old was 16-8 with a 3.50 ERA and 186 strikeouts in 2023, leading the Rays in all three categories.
Tampa Bay still has some solid hitters in its lineup that can carry the team, which is why the MLB betting lines are favoring it in this one. Third baseman Isaac Paredes had 31 home runs and 98 RBI to lead the team in both categories a season ago, while first baseman Yandy Diaz was fourth in baseball with a .330 batting average in 2023, hitting 22 home runs and driving in 78 runs.
Rays Take Opener In Close Contest
The Jays vs Rays lines are interesting in that Tampa Bay is the favorite on the moneyline but getting longer odds on the run line. This should be a close game, and we like taking the favorite on each of those bets.
Both teams are filled with solid hitters, so we like taking the over 7.5 runs bet in this one. When you’re doing your MLB betting on this one, go with Tampa Bay for a moneyline win, Toronto on the run line getting 1.5 runs, and the over.
Jays vs Rays Lines
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