The Toronto Blue Jays are set to host the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre on September 26, 2025. The Blue Jays, with a strong record of 91-68, are currently second in the AL East division. The Rays, on the other hand, have had a challenging season with a record of 77-82, placing them fourth in the division.
Tampa Bay enters the game with a recent loss to the Baltimore Orioles, marking a 4-6 record in their last 10 games. Under the guidance of manager Kevin Cash, the Rays will be looking to bounce back and end their current losing streak. Their road record this season stands at 36-42, which they will aim to improve upon in Toronto.
The Blue Jays, managed by John Schneider, secured a victory in their last outing against the Boston Red Sox. With a home record of 51-27, they have demonstrated strength at Rogers Centre. The team hopes to build on their recent win to maintain momentum as the season draws to a close.
Blue Jays vs Rays At a Glance
- Game Location: Rogers Centre in Toronto, ON with a retractable roof.
- Game Time: Scheduled for Friday, September 26, 2025 at 7:07 PM.
- Weather: Mild day, light breeze with few clouds; wind impact minimal due to the retractable roof.
- Team Standings: Rays sit 4th in AL East at 77-82; Blue Jays 2nd in AL East at 91-68.
- Broadcast Info: The game will be televised on APLTV.
- Odds: Blue Jays favored on the moneyline at -185; Rays at +155.
Toronto Blue Jays Set for Battle Against the Tampa Bay Rays
Rays’ Offensive Overview
The Tampa Bay Rays enter this game with a batting average of .265, ranking them first in the league. Their on-base percentage stands at .331, positioning them second. Despite this, their slugging percentage is only seventh, indicating potential gaps in power hitting.
With 185 home runs this season, the Rays rank 12th, showcasing moderate power potential. Their ability to capitalize on extra-base hits, with 287 doubles ranking third, is a key asset. They’ve also drawn 510 walks, placing them 14th, showing patience at the plate.
Notable Players to Watch
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leads the team with 23 home runs and an impressive .295 batting average. His 95 runs rank him 14th in the league, making him a central figure in the Rays’ lineup.
Bo Bichette is another critical player, with a .311 average and 94 RBIs, highlighting his consistent performance. Addison Barger adds power with 20 home runs, contributing significantly to the offensive efforts.
Pitching Staff Analysis
The Rays’ pitching staff has a collective ERA of 4.22, which places them 19th in the league. Their batting average against is .241, ranking them 12th, indicating room for improvement in limiting opposing hits.
With 206 home runs given up, they rank 24th, showing vulnerability to long balls. However, they have 57 quality starts, placing them 11th, underscoring the potential for starting pitchers to control games effectively.
Team Betting Trends
- SU Last 3 Games: 1-2 (33.3%)
- SU Last 5 Games: 2-3 (40.0%)
- SU All Games: 91-68 (57.2%)
- Runline as Underdog: 48-27 (64.0%)
- O/U All Games: 85-74 (53.5%)
The Rays’ straight-up (SU) performance in recent games shows some inconsistency, with a 1-2 record in the last three games. Overall, they hold a 91-68 record, translating to a 57.2% win rate.
On the runline, the Rays have been more successful as underdogs, with a 48-27 record. Their over/under (O/U) trends also indicate a tendency for games to go over, with a 53.5% rate across all games this season.
Tampa Bay Rays Prepare for a Crucial Showdown Against Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays: Batting Performance
The Toronto Blue Jays head into the game with a team batting average of .252, ranking 5th in the league. Their on-base percentage stands at .312, placing them in the 15th position. With a slugging percentage of .403, the Blue Jays are 12th, indicating a well-rounded batting performance.
Home runs have been a significant aspect of their offense, with the team hitting 179 this season, ranking 14th. However, they rank 19th in doubles, suggesting room for improvement in extra-base hits. The Blue Jays have struggled to draw walks, with a total of 455, placing them 26th in the league.
Base Running and Strikeouts
Toronto’s speed on the bases is evident, as they lead the league with 190 stolen bases. Their aggressive base running adds a dynamic element to their offensive strategy. Conversely, they have struck out 1363 times, ranking 18th, which is an area they might aim to reduce against the Rays.
Pitching Prowess
The Blue Jays’ pitching staff boasts an earned run average (ERA) of 3.87, positioning them 11th in the league. They have held opposing hitters to a .235 batting average, ranking 7th, showcasing their ability to limit hits. However, they have given up 199 home runs, which ranks 22nd, revealing a vulnerability in the long ball.
Quality starts have been a strength for Toronto, with 61 recorded this season, ranking 8th. Their bullpen has had 29 blown saves, placing them 12th, an aspect they will want to tighten up. With 1389 strikeouts, their pitchers are effective at racking up Ks, ranking 9th in the league.
Key Players to Watch
Starting pitcher Shane Bieber will be a pivotal figure for the Blue Jays. With an ERA of 3.57 and a WHIP of 0.96, Bieber has shown his capability to control games effectively. His win-loss record of 3-2 indicates he might not always get the run support needed.
Offensively, the Blue Jays will rely on their top hitters to break through against Rays starter Adrian Houser. The team’s overall balanced approach, with a mix of power and speed, will be crucial in this matchup.
Toronto Blue Jays Betting Trends
- SU All Games: 77-82 (48.4%)
- Runline All Games: 72-87 (45.3%)
- O/U All Games: 70-89 (44.0%)
- SU in Away Games: 36-42 (46.2%)
- Runline in Away Games: 38-40 (48.7%)
- O/U in Away Games: 34-44 (43.6%)
Blue Jays vs Rays Prediction: Blue Jays -185
The Toronto Blue Jays, with their solid home record of 51-27 and recent offensive prowess, are positioned to secure a win against the Tampa Bay Rays. Despite the Rays’ 7-3 head-to-head advantage this season, the Blue Jays have shown resilience at home, and their offensive lineup has been formidable with Daulton Varsho and George Springer contributing significantly. Shane Bieber, with a 3.57 ERA, provides a reliable arm for Toronto, giving them the edge at Rogers Centre.
The Blue Jays are motivated to maintain their share of the AL East lead, and with José Berríos on the injured list, they will lean on their bullpen depth to back up Bieber. Toronto’s offense, ranked first in batting average, will capitalize on opportunities against Adrian Houser, who has shown vulnerability on the road. Given the Blue Jays’ home-field advantage and current stakes, the odds of -185 are justified.
Toronto’s recent 6-1 victory over the Red Sox highlighted their ability to overcome recent struggles, with Varsho’s grand slam and Springer’s homer underscoring their offensive potential. The Rays have faced challenges closing games, evident in their recent loss to the Orioles, where they squandered a late lead. This sets the stage for Toronto to exploit those vulnerabilities, particularly at home.
Taking into account the Blue Jays’ superior home performance and their batting strength, they are well-poised to secure a victory in this matchup. A projected score of Blue Jays 5 – Rays 3 aligns with Toronto’s likelihood of capitalizing on their potent offense and solid pitching at Rogers Centre. With the division lead in sight, expect the Blue Jays to come out strong.
- Blue Jays vs Rays Prediction: Blue Jays -185
- Blue Jays vs Rays Score: Blue Jays 5 – Rays 3
