BLUE JAYS at RAYS (Under 8, -115) – 6:40 pm ET #919-920

Not an official play, but I would rate the Under as a light lean tonight.

Toronto is looking to snap a 3-game losing streak as they continue their series in Tampa Bay against the Rays. Jeff Niemann makes the start. He's 1-3 with a 5.60 ERA, but he’s coming off a winning effort in Minnesota against the Twins where Niemann gave up 1 run and two hits in seven innings of work. The righty is 3-2 with a 4.99 ERA in eight career starts against Toronto, who will be playing without Jose Bautista. Niemann has had success against Jose Molina (0-3), Corey Patterson (0-3), Juan Rivera (1-4), Edwin Encarnacion (0-6) and Yunel Escobar (0-3). Toronto has gone Under the total in four of their last five games. They are hitting right around .225 in 13 games against the rest of the A.L. East. Tampa Bay's bullpen continues to pitch well at home where they are now 4-1 with an ERA below 2.50 on the season.

Brandon Morrow is excited about seeing the Rays. He took the loss against Tampa in his first start of the season despite striking out 10 in 5.3 innings pitched. The righty is 2-2 with a 2.23 in five career starts against the Rays. Over his last three starts against them, he has given up 4 runs and seven hits in 21.3 innings of work. The Blue Jays’ starter struck out 28 over that span as well. Rays’ hitters are a combined 15 for 80 against Morrow. BJ Upton (1-10), Ben Zobrist (2-13), Reid Brignac (0-10) and John Jaso (2-10) have been the most futile against the righty. The Rays have gone Under the total in 19 of their 29 games this season while hitting just under .230 at home. They are hitting worse than Toronto against the rest of the A.L. East. Toronto's bullpen has been reliable for the most part this season, picking up only their third blown save last night.