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MLB Underdog of the Day (Breakout Superstar Shane McClanahan is Having a Cy Young Season for Tampa Bay)

By Matt De Saro

New York Yankees v Tampa Bay Rays
New York Yankees v Tampa Bay Rays / Tyler Schank/GettyImages
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AL East rivals do battle this afternoon with the second-place Toronto Blue Jays hosting the fourth-place Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of a five-game series. This afternoon’s game is the first of a Saturday doubleheader between the two at Rogers Centre.

The Blue Jays took the first two games of the series by a combined score of 13-3 thanks to some stellar pitching by Kikuchi and Berrios. While they have another stud on the mound tonight, I’m not so sure they have the upper hand on Tampa Bay here. 

Here are the odds for this showdown from WynnBET Sportsbook.

Rays vs. Blue Jays Odds, Run Line, and Total

Run Line

  • Rays: +1.5 (-190)
  • Blue Jays: -1.5 (+155)

Moneyline:

  • Rays: +125
  • Blue Jays: -135

Total:

  • Total 7.5 (Over +100/Under -120)

Best MLB Underdog Pick Today

I don’t think too many people would argue with me if I said that the Blue Jays are clearly a better all-around team on paper. It’s why they are favored in this game as much as they are with Kevin Gausman on the mound. To be clear, Gausman has been fantastic for the Blue Jays this season. Despite a blah 6-6 record, Gausman has a 2.93 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 86 innings pitched. His ERA at home leaves something to be desired at 3.95, but overall it’s hard to bet against Gausman. That is, unless, a much better option is taking the mound on the other end. 

Shane McClanahan might not be a household name outside of Florida, but he’s been a dream for the Rays this season. At 8-3 with a 1.77 ERA and 0.83 WHIP, he is one of the current frontrunners for the Cy Young award. Ranking second in ERA, WHIP, and strikeouts, how could he not be? And yet, he is an underdog in this game along with the rest of this team. 

In a vacuum, the Blue Jays win this game eight times out of ten. But, they are not playing on equal ground here. McClanahan is one of the best pitchers in baseball right now while Gausman has been very good. That is a big difference -- one I expect we see when these two face off today.

Pick: Rays ML +125

Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE

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