Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Vegas Play of the Day: Toronto Blue Jays at Tampa Bay Rays

Going back to baseball in the South Point-lined Play of the Day is such a bummer once football gets underway.

Alas, the betting board doesn’t offer any other hiding place tonight. Back to subjecting my starting $10,000 bankroll to danger on the diamond.

Tampa Bay Rays minus-115 vs. Toronto Blue Jays: $230 to win $200

Ever since the Blue Jays started red-hot and the Rays ice-cold, it felt like the extremes would even out and they’d both measure near the middle by the end of the year. The scenario is coming to fruition, with the Rays just four games behind the Blue Jays in the standings.

And that’s after an 8-2 series-opening loss last night. Tampa Bay has a better win differential, and could quite possibly pass Toronto by the end of the season.

But the Rays’ run needs to start now. I think it will. This price looks low with the way tonight’s starter Chris Archer has pitched lately.

Archer had quietly been one of the better pitchers in the majors for the last month before having a rough outing against the Red Sox last week. He’s also been great against the Blue Jays, posting a sub-3 ERA in seven career starts.

Toronto starter Marcus Stroman isn’t exactly someone I’m looking to fade, but worst-case scenario, Archer should keep Tampa Bay in the game and produce a pitcher’s duel. Come to think of it, under 7 might have been the bet here.

Nah. Let’s roll with the Rays.

Standings: Bern (45-33-1, $13,827), Keefer (39-41, $10,362), Brewer (32-44-3, $2,200)

Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.

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