MLB Season Update: Rays vs. Blue Jays

It’s hard to wrap my head around, but we’re nearing a quarter of the way through the MLB season. Maybe it’s just me getting older, but the years seem to fly by. Anyway, it feels like a good moment to start assessing which teams are peeking at the postseason and which might not make the cut. Today, the Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays, both eyeing playoff spots, will go head-to-head.

The Rays are having a fantastic season so far, sporting a record of 26 wins and 13 losses. They’ve actually fared decently on the road, though it’s interesting to note that roughly 75% of their losses have occurred away from home. I’ll admit, I was caught off guard by how well they’ve performed early in the season. Their offense has been surprisingly potent—much better than I anticipated.

Today’s starter for the Rays is Drew Rasmussen. After being a versatile pitcher in 2024, he stepped into a full-time starting role this year and has really shone. With a record of 2-1, a 2.95 ERA, and a 0.93 WHIP, he’s been impressive. It’s worth mentioning that his ERA jumps quite a bit on the road compared to at home, though he didn’t have any atrocious outings, including a recent game against Pittsburgh where he went 3.2 innings and allowed four runs. His last outing was against the Blue Jays, in which he pitched six innings and gave up three earned runs.

On the flip side, the Blue Jays haven’t quite hit their stride this year. They currently hold an 18-22 record, and while they’re 12-9 at home, they’ve struggled overall. Their offense seems fine—it’s comparable to the Rays, actually—but their pitching has been concerning with an ERA of 4.08 and a WHIP of 1.28.

Starting for the Blue Jays is Kevin Gausman, who has been a standout. His record is 2-2 this season, coupled with a 3.09 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP. He’s performed well on home turf, managing a 1.88 ERA over 24 innings at home. Out of the eight games he’s pitched on the road, he’s had quality starts in five. So, he shouldn’t be underestimated.

Last time these two faced off, the Rays edged out a 4-3 victory, and both starting pitchers put in solid efforts. But you know how it is—performances can differ from one game to the next. Once batters see a pitcher multiple times, they often find their rhythm. I think Rasmussen and Gausman are both talented enough to navigate that, though.

I have a feeling we might see a few runs tonight. I was genuinely impressed by both teams’ offenses. It’s likely that the starting pitchers contribute, but the bullpens will probably play a big role as well. I’d lean towards the over for tonight’s game.