The Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays continue their three-game series at George M. Steinbrenner Field, with the Rays holding a 1-0 series lead after a 3-1 victory in Game 1.
Game Overview
- Date: Saturday, May 24, 2025
- Time: 4:05 PM ET
- Location: George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, FL
- Broadcast: ESPN, Sportsnet, Bally Sports Sun
- Series Status: Rays lead 1-0
Team Breakdown
Tampa Bay Rays (24-26, 4th in AL East)
- Last Game: 3-1 win vs. Blue Jays
- Key Players:
- Jonathan Aranda – Batting .306, with nine doubles and six home runs.
- Brandon Lowe – Hitting .333 over his last 10 games, with three home runs and seven RBIs.
- Shane Baz (SP) – Starting pitcher for Game 2, looking to improve on his 9.61 ERA over his last four outings.
Toronto Blue Jays (25-25, 3rd in AL East)
- Last Game: 1-3 loss vs. Rays
- Key Players:
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – Batting .279, with eight doubles and six home runs.
- Bo Bichette – Leads the team with 25 RBIs, hitting .289.
- José Berríos (SP) – Starting pitcher for Game 2, aiming to contain Tampa Bay’s lineup.
Key Matchups & Storylines
1. Rays’ Pitching vs. Blue Jays’ Offense
Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has struggled, with Baz allowing 21 earned runs in May, ranking worst in MLB. Can Toronto capitalize on his recent struggles?
2. Guerrero Jr. vs. Baz – Power vs. Control
Guerrero Jr. has four hits in 10 at-bats against Baz, making him a key offensive threat.
3. Rays’ Home Performance vs. Blue Jays’ Road Struggles
Tampa Bay has a 13-18 home record, while Toronto has gone 9-12 on the road.
4. AL East Standings Battle
Both teams are hovering around .500, making this series crucial for positioning in the division.
Prediction & X-Factors
- Likely Outcome: A competitive game with Toronto favored due to their offensive firepower against Baz’s struggles.
- X-Factors:
- Guerrero Jr.’s ability to capitalize on Baz’s pitching – If he stays hot, Toronto has the edge.
- Baz’s control – If he limits walks, Tampa Bay could stay competitive.
- Blue Jays’ bullpen – Can they shut down Tampa Bay’s late-game offense?
Game Odds
Toronto Blue Jays 9
Tampa Bay Rays – 118
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, May 23, 2025
