Posted at 10:00 AM EST. Odds subject to change.

Pinnacle +120 BET365 +115 Sportsinteraction +115   888Sport +115

Toronto +120 over Tampa Bay

4:10 PM EST. Forget Zach Eflin (RHP - TB) for a moment, as he is a fine pitcher who is coming off a productive season, and he’s one that we could get behind him in another place and time, perhaps as an underdog, but he is not the story for the Rays here on Opening Day.

The Rays had an offseason to forget, as former future franchise player Wander Franco was arrested in the Dominican Republic for allegedly having a relationship with a 14-year-old girl. Franco is currently wrapped up in the legal system back home in the Dominican, and he’s not expected back in the majors any time soon if ever. Franco leaves a big hole in the lineup, as he was just getting started as one of the top young players in all of MLB; he was an All-Star last year hitting .281 with 17 homers and stealing 30 bases. The Rays signed free agent Amed Rosario from the Guardians and picked up Jose Caballero in a trade with Seattle, but neither are going to come close to filling the void left by an awful and completely avoidable crime. Furthermore, the Rays will also be without the injured Josh Lowe to start the season, which leaves another hole in the heart of their lineup.

The Blue Jays didn’t make any major moves, but they did add a couple of veteran bats in Justin Turner and hometown boy Joey Votto, and both look rejuvenated in their new digs. As for the Jays' opening day starter, José Berríos (RHP - TOR), he had a nice spring, posting a 4.5 K/BB ratio with no long balls given up in 13 IP across four starts, which comes after a bounce-back year in 2023.

Berríos did not sit idle after a tough 2022 and last season, his fastball had more vertical movement and less horizontal movement, which was the first time that had happened since his breakout 2018 season. This offseason, he added a cutter to his repertoire to deal with his .261/.323/.450 line versus lefties in 2023. Berrios had 184 punchouts in 189.2 IP last year, and he is capable of going 200 in 200 for the first time in his career this season. He’s hit both marks individually, but never together. Berrios looks primed to challenge Kevin Gausman for “Ace” status. In what looks to be a 50/50 proposition even without all the potential Rays drama, the prudent play is to back the Blue Jays and let the chips fall where they may.

Sherwood

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------