Now 3-8 in the month of September, the Blue Jays will be desperate for a win this afternoon as they host Tampa Bay in the finale of a 3-game series.
Tampa downed the Jays 6-2 last night to keep the Blue Jays 2 games behind the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox, who fell 6-3 at home to the Orioles.
Josh Donaldson has missed the last 2 games for Toronto with a hip injury, though it is possible he returns to the lineup today.
Jays starter Marco Estrada hopes to snap out of his September slump after going 0-2 with an ERA near 10 in his first 2 starts this month. Tampa’s starting pitcher will be Alex Cobb, who has had a couple of decent starts since returning from Tommy John surgery.
Here are 3 ways to consider doing your Blue Jays betting this afternoon:
1. Over 8.5
It has been a tale of two seasons for #BlueJays Marco Estrada in 2016 pic.twitter.com/5YzPnlyU2K
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) September 10, 2016
The total on this game opened at 9 and has been bet down to 8.5, making this Over bet much more attractive.
Estrada hasn’t looked like himself for more than a month, allowing 20 runs in his past 5 starts. Cobb is making just his third start since 2014 and might not go too far into the game, even if he’s dealing.
2. Rays +170
Blue Jays: Alex Cobb baffles Blue Jays in first start since 2014: Tampa Bay Rays right-ha… https://t.co/roTIwHI6Hj #baseball #BlueJays
— Bag on Nuts (@BagOfPeanuts) September 3, 2016
You probably really want the Jays to win. So you could consider this bet ‘consolation’ if they lose, nearly tripling your money.
None of the Blue Jays have very good lifetime numbers against Cobb, who has a career ERA of 3.23. As a team, Toronto is hitting .217 off the Tampa righty.
The Rays have had Toronto’s number once again this year, winning 10 of the first 18 meetings between the clubs this season. The Jays are desperate, but desperation doesn’t help you win more baseball games.
3. Over on Logan Forsythe Props
That’s Logan Forsythe’s 24th hit against the Blue Jays in 14 games this season. Thorn in Jays’ side all year. https://t.co/cuk6xA348g
— Brendan Kennedy (@BKennedyStar) September 12, 2016
Forsythe has been a huge pain for the Blue Jays this year, going 24-for-60 off Toronto pitching.
He’s also 7-for-14 in his career against Estrada.
Bodog and Sports Interaction post daily MLB props including Over/Under total bases for hitters (or sometimes head to head against a player from the other team). If you can find a prop on Forsythe, the Over looks worth considering.