MLB Odds: Wounded Jays Stumble into Tampa

Just when it looked like the Toronto Blue Jays were getting back in the American League playoff race, they got swept by the defending champion Chicago Cubs, leaving them at 59-65 and 14.81 betting units in the red. Toronto will try to get back on track with a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays (60-65, –7.91 units), starting Tuesday night at Tropicana Field. First pitch is at 7:10 PM ET on Sportsnet.

At least the Jays may have found a keeper in Chris Rowley (3.72 FIP in 10.1 innings), the first official West Point graduate ever to make the majors. Rowley pitched very well in his August 12 MLB debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates, then followed up with five strong innings in Thursday’s 5-3 win over the Rays (–166 away).

Chris Archer (3.20 FIP) pitched for Tampa in that game and had a quality start with 10 strikeouts, but the Rays’ bullpen coughed it up, dropping Archer’s team record to 14-12 for a loss of 1.91 units. It was the 11th “no decision” for Archer this year; the Rays and their middling relief corps (4.10 FIP, No. 13 in the majors) went 6-5 in those games.

MLB Odds: Jays Hope for More Rowley Magic in Tampa

After dropping three straight to the Chicago Cubs, the Toronto Blue Jays (59-65, 14.81 betting units) send Chris Rowley to the mound Tuesday night as they open a three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays (60-65, –7.91 units) at Tropicana Field. Sportsnet has the coverage beginning at 7:10 PM ET.

In his second MLB start, Rowley (3.72 FIP in 10.1 innings) allowed two runs to the Rays in five innings; Chris Archer (3.20 FIP) gave up three runs and struck out 10 in seven innings, but took the no-decision as Toronto won 5-3 to cash in as +143 home dogs.