The Toronto Blue Jays really picked up some steam last year, and they went for it at the deadline by acquiring David Price and Troy Tulowitzki. Price walked and went to Boston, and that really leaves them with a gaping hole once again in their pitching staff. Marcus Stroman has good stuff, but is he really an Opening Day starter? We'll find out on Sunday when he and his Jays take on the Tampa Bay Rays at the Trop.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
The AL East was super tight last year, and that could be the case once again. The Jays were the only ones to turn a profit for bettors in the division though at +10.45 units. That said, this was a team with a losing record on the road at just 40-41.
This was a close series last year with Tampa Bay edging it out 10-9 over the Jays for the season, but the Rays also started at 6-1 in their first seven before tapering off when Toronto really turned on the jets in the second half.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Stroman has a lot of pressure on his shoulders right now. He didn't pitch well in his last start of the year in the ALCS against the Royals, and he's now being asked to make an Opening Day start after a season in which he started just four games in the regular season and four more in the playoffs.
The youngster has good stuff for sure, and the fact that he got the win in all of his starts for Toronto in the regular season last year was a testament to his stuff. However, when he's been asked to pitch deep into games, he's had issues, particularly with strikeouts. The Rays are free swingers, and they're likely to go down early in the game, but the second time through the lineup, that's when Stroman could have some difficulties.
Chris Archer is a flat out stud, though. The Rays are lucky to still have him for a couple more years, though inevitably, they know he'll go the way of Price as well and chase the money that they can't give him.
For now though, the Rays are lucky to have him. Archer might've only gone 12-13 last season, but his 3.23 ERA and 252 strikeouts suggest he was one of the most dominant pitchers in the game.
SITUATIONAL BETTING
Archer is the most likely Rays pitcher to finish what he started, but we doubt he's allowed to go the distance in this game. If this one ends up being close, you're putting your bet in the hands of a closer who went 4-10 and went 41-of-47 in save chances last year. Brad Boxberger makes us about as nervous as any closer in the game, and against the potent Toronto lineup, we don't love his chances.
PROP TALK
Jose Bautista knocked 40 homers last year, and no one could forget his epic bat flip against the Rangers. Eight of those home runs came against these Rays.
Joey Bats is getting up there in age, and he's going to end up struggling at some point one would think, but his dominance against Tampa Bay historically makes him a great prop bet on Monday.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Tampa Bay is going to be the favorite and a big one at that in this game, but that doesn't mean it should be. Stroman can pitch for sure, and with the help of his offense, the Blue Jays could end up running Archer early and coasting from there against the weak Rays' pen.
Especially if we're getting a price of +140 or better, we definitely want the Blue Jays on our side on Opening Day.
Toronto 6, Tampa Bay 3
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Don't miss out on getting paid because you couldn't bet. Click here, and deposit at BookMaker now! The game pitting the Toronto Blue Jays versus the Tampa Bay Rays will commence Sunday, April 3, 2016 at 4:05 p.m. ET at Tropicana Field. You can watch the contest live on ESPN2.
