Rays vs. Athletics Pick
Are the Oakland Athletics a smart pick when they host the Tampa Bay Rays tonight at 10:05PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, this game is considered even, as both the Athletics and Rays are getting a money line of -105 to win. The over/under total for the game has been set at 9.5 runs. These two have met four times this season, with Tampa winning three of the four games.
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The pitching matchup tonight has Jake Odorizzi (5-4, 4.63 ERA) on the mound for the Rays to face Daniel Gossett (1-4, 6.23) of the Athletics. Gossett has started six games this year, allowing 21 earned runs over 30.1 innings. He has 20 strikeouts with five walks and a 1.42 WHIP. Odorizzi has struggled entering the break, allowing at least three runs in his last seven starts. He has 72 strikeouts with 30 walks this season and a 1.31 WHIP.
Tampa Bay has been rolling somewhat, winning four of their last five entering tonight’s game. The Rays are 49-44 overall and 22-25 on the road. Tampa Bay is putting up 4.72 runs per game while allowing 4.52 runs per contest. Tampa is being led by Corey Dickerson, who has 26 doubles, 17 home runs and 42 RBI. Logan Morrison has added 26 home runs and 61 RBI.
Oakland has won seven of their last nine games entering this series, including a sweep of the Indians at home. Oakland is now 42-50 overall and 27-21 at home. The Athletics are scoring 4.34 runs per game while allowing 5.17 per game. Oakland is being led by Khris Davis, who has 25 home runs and 62 RBI while Ryon Healy has 19 home runs, 19 doubles and 54 RBI.
Both teams are coming in with some momentum, but I like Oakland at home. The Athletics have been playing well for a few weeks and just had a great weekend series with Cleveland. Tampa Bay is playing on the West Coast and expecting Odorizzi to have a good outing. While I don’t like Gossett on the mound for Oakland, I think the Athletics will have their bats rolling and give him plenty of run support.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: OAKLAND ATHLETICS -105