The Toronto Blue Jays (89-62) and Tampa Bay Rays (73-78) play the third game of their 4-game NL East series Wednesday. First pitch from George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida, is set for 7:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Blue Jays vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Rays lead 4-3

The Blue Jays stayed hot on Tuesday night, extending their win streak to 6 games with a 6-5 victory over the Rays as +100 road underdogs as the Over (8) cashed. Toronto’s offense was powered by home runs from RF Nathan Lukes and LF Joey Loperfido, while reliever Jeff Hoffman locked down his 31st save. The Jays hold a comfortable 5-game lead over the Yankees atop the AL East.

The Rays made things interesting late, plating runs in both the eighth and ninth innings, but their rally fell short. 2B Brandon Lowe had the big bat, going 2-for-5 with a homer and 4 RBIs. LF Chandler Simpson was caught stealing twice. With the loss, Tampa Bay sits 9 games back of the final Wild Card spot, needing a miracle to stay alive.

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Blue Jays at Rays projected starters

RHP Kevin Gausman vs. LHP Ian Seymour

Gausman (10-10, 3.44 ERA) is making his 30th start. He has a 1.00 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 8.7 K/9 through 177 2/3 innings.

Last start: Win, CG, SHO, 9 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 9 K in 6-0 win vs. the Houston Astros Thursday2025 road stats: 5-6, 3.45 ERA (91 1/3 IP, 35 ER), 0.97 WHIP, 8.0 K/9 in 15 startsLast start vs Rays: Loss, 5 2/3 IP, 6 ER, 10 H, 0 BB, 6 K in 8-3 loss May 15Career vs. Rays: 8-9, 4.02 ERA (127 2/3 IP, 57 ER), 1.29 WHIP, 9.4 K/9 in 24 games (22 starts)

Seymour (3-2, 3.16 ERA) is making his 17th career appearance and fourth start. He has a 1.13 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9 and 11.0 K/9 through 42 2/3 innings.

Last start: Loss, 5 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K in 5-1 loss at the Chicago White Sox Thursday2025 home stats: 0-1, 4.97 ERA (12 2/3 IP, 7 ER), 1.58 WHIP, 10.7 K/9 in 5 games26-year-old rookie has never faced the Blue JaysBlue Jays at Rays odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:32 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Blue Jays -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Rays +105 (bet $100 to win $105)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jays -1.5 (+140) |Rays +1.5 (-170)Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -105 | U: -115)

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Blue Jays at Rays picks and predictionsPrediction

Blue Jays 4, Rays 3

BET BLUE JAYS (-130).

The Blue Jays are rolling, and it’s tough to bet against a team on a 6-game win streak. They’ve shown poise, taking back-to-back battles from Tampa — including a 2-1 extra-inning grind and a 6-5 slugfest where their bats delivered under pressure. That kind of resilience is why they’re surging in the AL East race.

Toronto has the pitching edge with Gausman set to start. He’s been dominant, posting a 3.44 ERA and fresh off a complete-game shutout against Houston. Gausman hasn’t allowed more than 1 earned run in each of his last 3 starts, while the staff as a whole owns a 2.90 ERA and 10-3 record over the last 15 days. That steadiness gives them the edge over Tampa’s Seymour, who has been solid, but lacks Gausman’s big-game résumé.

At the plate, Toronto is hot — hitting .282 as a team over the past 15 days, fueled by DH George Springer and timely contributions across the lineup. With momentum, balance, and an ace in peak form, the Blue Jays look like the right side to back here.

PASS.

I’ll just take the safer moneyline play here, but if you are feeling frisky, move your bet to the run line.

AVOID.

I usually don’t like to sit one out, but I’m staying away from this total. My lean would be the Under with Gausman on the mound, but the trends are scattered and don’t give a clear angle. Without strong conviction, I’ll keep my attention on the moneyline instead of forcing a play.

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