Athletics vs. Rays Prediction
The Oakland Athletics and host Tampa Bay Rays have been winning much more than they have been losing as of late. Which team will notch tonight’s series-opening victory in a game that has been given almost even odds on the moneyline for both sides?
Game Snapshot
917 Oakland Athletics at 918 Tampa Bay Rays
Friday, September 14, 2018
Tropicana Field at 7:10PM ET
TV: FOX Sports Sun (TB)
Compare odds from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new Baseball Odds & Betting Page.
Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Rays are a -108 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Athletics are a -102 underdog, while the total is set at 8.5 runs. As of Friday morning, 71 percent of public bets are being placed on visiting Oakland. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for the latest updates.
A’s drop finale in Baltimore
Oakland was unable to finish the sweep at the Orioles last night as it fell by a score of 5-3. Khris Davis helped lead the Athletics offense by going 1-for-3 with a walk. Matt Olson went 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI. Stephen Piscotty hit a solo home run in four at-bats. Marcus Semien was 1-for-4 with a double and a run. Nick Martini was a perfect 3-for-3 with a double plus a walk and an RBI. Brian Anderson suffered the loss as he allowed four earned runs on seven hits in 3 1/3 innings, striking out two and walking one.
Rays hold Cleveland to one hit
Tampa Bay earned a 3-1 home victory over Cleveland in its series finale Wednesday before a day off yesterday. Blake Snell improved to 19-5 on the season with a 2.03 ERA as he gave up one earned run on one hit with nine strikeouts and two walks over seven innings. Jose Alvarado earned his eighth save of the season as he struck out two in a perfect inning of work. Tommy Pham was 1-for-3 with a walk and a run in the win. Ji-Man Choi went 2-for-4 with a 2-run homer. Kevin Kiermaier was 1-for-3 with an RBI double.
Edwin Jackson (5-3, 3.26 ERA) will start today for Oakland, while Tampa Bay turns to Diego Castillo (3-2, 3.45).
MLB Betting Trends
Oakland
The over is 9-3 in the last 12 Athletics games overall. Oakland is 55-22 in its last 77 games overall.
Tampa Bay
The Rays are 6-2 in the last eight meetings. Tampa Bay is 20-6 in its last 26 games overall.
Prediction:
This is a difficult game to bet on, but my lean is definitely toward the Rays. Jackson has out-performed his advance numbers this season and could still be headed for regression. The Rays will use a lot of pitchers here to keep Oakland off balance. With the Rays playing so well lately and Oakland traveling in from Baltimore, I’m taking the rested home team here.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: TAMPA BAY RAYS -108