Even UFC betting players would have a hard time swallowing the beating that Toronto’s pitching staff has taken this year, as it seems every pitcher on the Blue Jays’ staff, even Roy Halladay, has spent time on the disabled list. It doesn’t look good for the Blue Jays when they head to Tampa Bay to kick off a three-game series against the Rays, as they’ll be sending out a rookie who was rocked in his last start.Blue Jays vs Rays odds – Tuesday, July 7, 7:08 PM ET
Brad Mills (0-1. 14.09) has allowed 12 earned runs in his first 7.2 innings of major-league work, eight of which came in a 10-0 loss to Philadelphia at home. The 24-yearold southpaw lasted four innings, and gave up eight hits, including a pair of homers for the second straight outing. The one positive that Mills can take from getting bombed by Philly is that he struck out seven and walked only two, but with these types of performances, Toronto fans won’t pay a big price per head to get out there and see him.
James Shields (6-6, 3.50) threw a season-high 108 pitches, but took the loss as the Rays were blanked 5-0 in Toronto by allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits in 7.1 innings, and the Jays went deep three times off of him. In nine career outings against Toronto, the 27-year-old righthander is 4-3 against Tampa’s AL East rival with a 3.29 ERA, and he’s given up 10 homers to the Blue Jays.
MLB odds should back the Rays at home, and they’ve already taken two of three in Toronto. Shields couldn’t finish the sweep, and you can bet that he’ll have his best stuff ready to go on Tuesday. Mills has been thrown into the fire due to all the injuries on the Blue Jays’ staff, and this will be crucial to him staying with the big team for the rest of the year. All three games that these two played in Toronto went under the posted total, but the Rays could have a field day against the young Mills. Go with the Rays’ MLB odds on Tuesday in your baseball picks.
MLB odds pick: Tampa Bay Rays
