"Another" Toronto-Tampa Bay Series On Deck for Sunday Afternoon
In an early Sunday start, we like Toronto to beat Tampa Bay. Starter Alek Manoah on the mound is a huge edge for the Jays. His results in 2022 are stellar.
We all watched the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Toronto Maple Leafs in an NHL Playoffs' Game 7 thriller last night. The Maple Leafs' season is now over, but that doesn't mean Toronto and Tampa Bay are both out of action.
On the contrary, in Major League Baseball, the Blue Jays face the Rays in a decisive Game 3 of their three-game weekend series.
Based on recent results, this game probably matters more to the Jays. They've been disappointing of late, dropping 7 of their last ten games, and are already 7.5 games behind the sizzling New York Yankees, who are comfortably in first place. The Rays are currently in second place in the AL East, so they are also a formidable opponent in a tough division where Toronto was expected by many oddsmakers to be the favourites to win.
Spreads.ca shows Toronto as small road favourties based on starter Alek Manoah taking the mound, who has been outstanding so far this season.
The first pitch flies at Tropicana Field at 1:30 pm EST / 10:30 pm PST.
Prediction (powered by Pointspreads.ca):
Manoah on the mound is a huge edge for the Jays. His results in 2022 are stellar: 6 starts; 4-0 record; 1.75 ERA; 35 SO; 0.889 WHIP.
Laying a reasonable number, we'll go with Toronto. Manoah won't go more than 6 innings and the Jays' bats have been inconsistent. However, this is a fair price on one of the best starting arms in the American League.
His opponent Corey Kluber has been less-than-impressive posting a 1-2 record with an ERA of 4.55.
Toronto should make up a game here in the standings with a win.
