Blue Jays vs. Mariners (July 9): Ray meets Jays for first time since Seattle move

Tonight, in Seattle, Robbie Ray faces his former team for the first time as he looks to lead the red-hot Mariners to a third straight win over the Toronto Blue Jays.

After some struggles in the first couple months of the season, both Ray and Seattle are on a roll at the moment. Last night, the Mariners won their second straight against the Blue Jays and their sixth straight overall thanks to Eugenio Suarez’s walk-off homer in the 11th.

SIX. IN. A. ROW. pic.twitter.com/r6IJszZeka

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) July 9, 2022

While things are trending way, way up for Seattle, who is now over .500 for the first time since May 2, things are trending way, way down for Toronto, who has now lost seven of eight. Can Alek Manoah help the Jays get back on track tonight?

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Seattle Mariners Betting Odds and Matchup Information

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Toronto Blue Jays (45-40, 20-22 away, 4th in the AL East) vs. Seattle Mariners (43-42, 22-20 home, 2nd in the AL West)
• Venue & Location: T-Mobile Park (Seattle, Washington)
• Date: Saturday, July 9, 2022
• Game Time: 10:10 p.m. Eastern Time (7:10 p.m. local time)
• TV Broadcast/Streaming Info: MLB Network

Blue Jays vs. Mariners Pitching Matchup

• Toronto Blue Jays: Alek Manoah (2022: 16 starts, 9-3, 2.33 ERA)
• Seattle Mariners: Robbie Ray (2022: 17 starts, 7-6, 3.62 ERA)

Blue Jays vs. Mariners Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline. This article may also mention odds from our other top sportsbooks that we have reviewed and recommend.

Moneyline

• Toronto Blue Jays -118
• Seattle Mariners +100

Over/Under

• OVER 7.5 (-114)
• UNDER 7.5 (-106)

Run Line

• Toronto Blue Jays -1.5 (+134)
• Seattle Mariners +1.5 (-162)

Ray’s Run Looks Likely to Continue Against Toronto

A month ago, Ray’s ERA was pushing 5.00, and he had allowed three or more runs in five consecutive starts and seven of eight.

Fast forward a month and five starts later, and his ERA has dropped from 4.97 to 3.62. In those five starts, he is 2-0 with a 0.80 ERA, having allowed just three runs in 33.2 innings.

His strikeout numbers are beginning to trend up as well, as he has racked up 36 strikeouts in 26.2 innings in his last four starts.

Toning down the generosity is certainly helping his cause. In his first 11 starts, he allowed 66 hits and 27 walks in 70.2 innings. In his last five starts, he has allowed just 15 hits and nine walks.

While it has taken a bit for him to get going like he is now, one thing that has been fairly consistent all season is how he has performed at T-Mobile Park, where he is 4-2 with a 2.33 ERA and a .175 OBA in nine starts.

Seven of his nine home starts have been quality starts, compared to only two of his eight road starts. Also, all four of his double-digit strikeout games this season have come at home.

The outlook is favorable for Ray to continue rolling tonight, given how Toronto has been struggling at the plate as of late and how poorly they are faring in the scenario they face here.

Batting Splits for the Toronto Blue Jays

• Batting Average vs. LHP: .258
• Batting Average vs. RHP: .258
• Batting Average in Games Started by LHP: .225
• Batting Average in Games Started by RHP: .266
• Runs Per Game in Games Started by LHP: 3.71
• Runs Per Game in Games Started by RHP: 4.82

In their current 1-7 run, the Blue Jays are actually hitting a fairly respectable .258 and are averaging nine hits a game.

But they have scored just 21 runs, owing in no small part to the fact that they are hitting just .175 (11 for 63) with runners in scoring position. In last night’s loss, Toronto was 2 for 20 with runners in scoring position.

For what it is worth, hitters are hitting .191 (27 for 141) against Ray with runners on, .195 (15 for 77) with runners in scoring position, and .121 (4 for 33) with runners in scoring position with two outs.

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Seattle Mariners Prediction and Best Bets

Blue Jays vs. Mariners Prediction: Mariners to win

Blue Jays vs. Mariners Best Bets: Mariners ML (+105 at Bovada Sportsbook & MyBookie) & Blue Jays team total under 4 runs (-122 at BetOnline)

There’s every chance that nerves could take over and Ray has a rough night against his former team. But I expect him to handle things just fine and for him to do his part to extend Seattle’s win streak to seven.

Other MLB Content Today on Betting News (Saturday, July 9)

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