Toronto Blue Jays vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction, 9/18/2025 MLB Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Toronto Blue Jays vs Tampa Bay Rays

Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025

Location: George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL

TV: FanDuel Sports Network Sun

Odds/Point Spread: Toronto (-152) Tampa Bay (+126)

The Tampa Bay Rays (73-78) will try to beat the Toronto Blue Jays (89-62) at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Thursday. The line on this matchup has the Blue Jays at -152 while the Rays are opening at +126. The total is 8. The pitchers who are expected to start are Chris Bassitt and Shane Baz.

As a team, the Toronto Blue Jays are notching 5.0 runs per game, which is 4th in MLB. They have 757 runs scored and hold an on-base percentage of .337. The Blue Jays have hit 277 doubles as a team and have hit 180 baseballs out of the park. They have accumulated 731 runs batted in and 1,390 base knocks this year, and their team batting average comes in at .269. Toronto has a slugging rate of .432 and have been called out on strikes 1,027 times, while drawing a walk on 488 occasions.

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The Blue Jays have a team ERA of 4.13 on the year (19th in MLB), and the staff has rung up 1,344 batters. Blue Jays pitchers have allowed 198 long balls in addition to 669 total runs (19th in MLB). They have walked 481 hitters and their FIP is 4.29 as a unit for the season. Toronto has relinquished 1,206 base knocks (8.1 per 9 innings) and 616 earned runs. Their strikeout to walk ratio is 2.79 and their pitching staff has a collective WHIP of 1.26.

The Blue Jays have sent 527 relievers to the hill for the season. The relief pitchers have inherited 234 runners so far this season and 29.1% of them ended up crossing the plate. They have accumulated 40 saves this year and have blown 23 of 63 save opportunities. The Blue Jays relief pitchers have earned a save rate of 63.5% and have stepped onto the mound in 160 save situations. The relievers are sitting with 91 holds so far this season (10th in baseball). Blue Jays relief pitchers have come into the game with players on base 164 times and also have had 152 appearances in high leverage situations.

The Blue Jays have turned 70.3% of baseballs in play into outs in their 12,087 innings on the diamond, which has them sitting 12th in MLB. The Toronto Blue Jays are sitting with 4,029 putouts thus far, as well as 1,177 assists and 82 errors. Their fielding percentage is holding at .984 which ranks 21st in baseball, and they have turned 108 double plays.

Bassitt has pitched in 1,274 innings and has racked up 1,188 K's so far in his career. His ERA is 3.63 (514 ER's allowed) and his WHIP is 1.242. He has given up 1,176 hits (8.3 hits per nine innings) and has had 407 walks. Bassitt (83-64 career record) has earned a FIP of 3.58 and he has gone up against 5,388 opposing batters during his time in the major leagues.

Tampa Bay has accounted for 172 HRs for the season to go along with 641 runs batted in. They have 225 doubles, while walking 434 times and putting up 673 runs. The Tampa Bay Rays have compiled an on-base percentage of .313 as well as a team batting average of .251 on the season. The Rays have a team slugging percentage of .403 and they tally 4.46 runs per outing (14th in baseball). They have struck out on 1,299 occasions (11th in the league) and have recorded 1,281 hits.

The Rays have a team WHIP of 1.211 in addition to having a FIP of 4.16 as a squad on the season. They are sitting at 7th in the league as a pitching staff in total hits conceded with 1,184. The Tampa Bay pitching staff have surrendered 626 runs for the season and come in with a team ERA of 3.88 (577 earned runs allowed). They have earned a strikeout to walk ratio of 8.90 (1,323 strikeouts vs 435 free passes). They have conceded 193 dingers and they concede 4.21 runs per 9 innings (10th in baseball).

Tampa Bay bullpen pitchers have an inherited score rate of 31.2% out of 157 inherited base runners. Their relief pitchers have taken the field 149 times in high leverage situations and also on 107 occasions with base runners. With 145 save situations, the Rays have 82 holds in addition to 27 blown saves. They are ranked 26th in MLB holding a save rate of 55.7%, and they have dispatched 485 relievers onto the diamond so far this season. Tampa Bay has had relief pitchers step onto the hill in 61 save opportunities and they have recorded 34 saves.

Out of their 12,036 innings played, the Rays have earned a defensive efficiency of 70.7% (6th in pro baseball). The Tampa Bay Rays have gotten 137 double plays and own a fielding percentage of .987 (11th in professional baseball). The Rays have accrued 1,323 assists, 71 errors and have amassed 4,012 putouts this year.

Baz (16-17 career win-loss mark) has earned a 4.40 earned run average while giving up 8.0 hits per nine innings. He has a K/BB ratio of 2.89 and he has faced 1,164 opposing hitters so far in his career. He has conceded a total of 135 earned runs while earning a WHIP of 1.249 and having a FIP of 4.3. So far in his pro baseball career, Baz has surrendered 246 hits while accumulating 286 strikeouts in 276 frames.

Who will win tonight's MLB game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Toronto (-152)

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