Vegas Play of the Day: Blue Jays at Rays

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Monday, April 4, 2016 | 12:41 p.m.

We've reset the Play of the Day with fresh bankrolls and turned it into a yearly competition. Our three sports writers have re-started with $10,000 bankrolls to continue using on odds from the South Point.

Toronto Blue Jays plus-105 at Tampa Rays: $400 to win $420: The Toronto Blue Jays’ lineup resembles a beer league softball team with right-handed power hitters Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion and Josh Donaldson anchoring the batting order. Each will hit more than 30 home runs this season, making Toronto the favorites to repeat as American League East champions.

While Rays starting pitcher Drew Smyly was sharp in spring training, the lefty won’t be as effective against the power-hitting Blue Jays. If he makes one mistake, a Toronto hitter will be rounding the bases.

Tampa managed just two runs Sunday in the season opener against hard-throwing Toronto starter Marcus Stroman. Today, they face RA Dickey, whose knuckleballs will keep them off balance. It’s tough to adjust to Dickey’s off-speed pitches the day after going against the fastballs of the Blue Jays’ ace.

The game should again be low scoring, with Toronto’s offense eventually breaking through. And, it’s rare to get plus-money with the better team. Smyly is mostly unproven — he shouldn’t be the favorite.

Current Standings (as of July 1): Brewer (42-34-2, $11,810), Keefer (41-50-2, $7,372), Bern (29-35, $6,565)

Lifetime standings: 2014-15 Champion Bern (108-109-1), Keefer (124-132-4), Brewer (111-121-4)

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21