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Rays vs. Blue Jays Game 2 Prediction and Odds for Tuesday, September 13 (Manoah Carries Blue Jays to Victory)

By Joe Summers

Alek Manoah has a 0.96 ERA over his last four starts as the under hit in each outing
Alek Manoah has a 0.96 ERA over his last four starts as the under hit in each outing / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-2 this afternoon in the first game of a double-header. These clubs are locked into a tight race for the AL Wild Card, and every matchup is critical as each tries to secure a playoff spot.

Yonny Chirinos makes his second start of 2022 after throwing three shutout innings against Boston last week. He struck out four though will need his best effort to slow down a potent Blue Jays lineup.

Toronto turns to Alek Manoah, behind whom its won two straight after losing four in a row. Manoah has a 0.96 ERA in his last four starts as he's dominated opposing lineups.

Which team has the edge in this pivotal contest? Let's peak at the consensus odds before finding a winner:

Rays vs Blue Jays Game 2 Odds, Run Line and Total

Both of these teams are hot heading into the stretch run. The Rays are 21-9 in their last 30 games, while the Blue Jays are 11-4 in their previous 15. I give the edge to Toronto tonight though, because Alek Manoah is on another planet right now.

He's allowed five hits or fewer in each of his last five starts and consistently puts Toronto in a position to win. The question, more or less, comes down to whether the Blue Jays' bats will show up.

Yonny Chirinos was solid against Boston in his 2022 debut last week, but he surrendered four hits and a walk in only three innings of work and possesses a 4.10 expected FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) over his major league career.

Tampa Bay is 2-7 in its last nine games as a road underdog, including four straight losses. I see those struggles continuing against Manoah, so I like the value on the Blue Jays' run line here.

That being said, I can't ignore the value on the under either. It's hit in each of the last four games between these clubs and in each of Manoah's last five starts. Thus, I'll make a wager on each bet in a game I foresee ending in the neighborhood of 4-1 with Toronto prevailing.

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.

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