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Toronto (61-65) at Tampa Bay (75-49)
- When: Aug 18 2026, 6:40 PM
- Where: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg
- TV: RAYS
Toronto vs Tampa Bay MLB Preview & Pick
Moneyline: Tampa Bay -135
Runline: Tampa Bay -1.5 (+160)
Total: 7.5
Tampa Bay: Rays Own Toronto
The Rays enter as -135 favorites after ending a three-game skid with Monday’s 7-6 comeback win. Tampa Bay trailed Baltimore 6-4 before Jonathan Aranda and Jonny DeLuca helped flip the scoreboard.
Then Bryan Baker decided five-out saves were apparently relaxing. The MLB saves leader recorded his 35th save and 24th straight conversion, striking out Pete Alonso with the tying run at third.
Tampa Bay became the first AL team to 75 wins and now owns 32 comeback victories.
Toronto: Baseball Gods Listening?
Toronto enters 10-6 in August and remains alive in the crowded AL Wild Card race. Apparently half the American League received the same invitation.
Jose Soriano starts with a 9-6 record and 3.16 ERA. Since arriving from the Angels, he’s posted an excellent 1.69 ERA across two starts. Against Tampa Bay, however, Soriano is 2-2 with a 4.08 ERA in eight appearances.
The bigger concern is Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who landed on the seven-day concussion injured list after colliding with George Lombard Jr.
Trey Yesavage and Spencer Arrighetti are also unavailable, leaving Toronto’s playoff push operating with fewer spare parts.
LVSB Betting Prediction
Nick Martinez gives Tampa Bay another major advantage. The All-Star is 12-3 with a 2.74 ERA and has completely owned Toronto this season, going 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA.
The Rays are also an absurd 8-2 against the Blue Jays this year while outscoring them 54-28.
Soriano’s recent form deserves respect, but Toronto is missing Guerrero while facing a pitcher who apparently keeps the Blue Jays offense locked in his basement.
At -135, we’ll take Tampa Bay on the moneyline rather than chase the -1.5 spread at +160.
With Martinez and Soriano both pitching well, the 7.5 total has us leaning toward a lower-scoring game.
Final Score: Rays 4, Blue Jays 2
Lean: Tampa Bay ML (-135)
Total: Under 7.5 (-110)
Toronto is asking the baseball gods for help. Tampa Bay has Martinez, an 8-2 season-series record and apparently the gods’ phone number.
- MLB Baseball Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
- Get real-time live scores & latest betting odds here!
