The Tampa Bay Rays are set to face the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will showcase this interleague matchup.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Washington Nationals Odds
The Nationals are 34-25 SU and 30-28 ATS. They’ve lost 0.6 units for moneyline bettors while earning 1.8 units against the spread (ATS). Washington has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has hit in all seven of them. The Rays are 28-31 SU and have gone 30-28 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 1.4 units for bettors taking the moneyline, but have gained 0.1 units ATS. Tampa Bayhas covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has hit in six of those seven.
Washington games have a 22-34-2 over/under record so far in 2018. Tampa Bay has an over/under record of 26-30-2.
Jonny Venters is getting the nod for the visiting Rays. The left-handed Venters is 1-0 with a 0.87 ERA and six strikeouts. He has yet to face the Nationals this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Nationals are sending righty Tanner Roark (2-6, 3.61 ERA) to the mound. Roark has 61 strikeouts and 24 walks to his name, as well as a WHIP of 1.09. Roark did not record a start against the Rays in 2017.
Washington’s pitching staff has yielded 3.4 runs per game overall this season as a unit. Its starters have an ERA of 2.88, a WHIP of 1.04 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.0. The bullpen has a 3.83 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 9.3 K/9.
Washington’s offense is putting up 4.3 runs per outing, including 3.3 per game over its last 10 games and 2.6 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .137/.185/.250 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that span.
The Nationals’ batters have been led by shortstop Trea Turner and right fielder Bryce Harper. Turner is slashing .255/.341/.397 with seven home runs, 24 RBIs, 33 runs and 16 stolen bases, while Harper’s line is .227/.365/.517 with 18 homers, 40 RBIs, 37 runs and five stolen bases.
In the visiting dugout, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff allowed 4.2 runs per game and its starters own a 3.96 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 8.57 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.87, along with a WHIP of 1.17.
Rays hitters have slashed .256/.329/.393 on their way to 4.1 runs scored per game in 2018, including 3.4 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 2.0 per game over the team’s last five contests (0-5 SU).
First baseman C.J. Cron and third baseman Matt Duffy continue to lead Tampa Bay’s offense. Cron is hitting .260/.324/.459 with 12 home runs, 32 RBIs and 32 runs scored, while Duffy (.309/.351/.389) has produced two homers, 16 RBIs and 12 runs scored.
The Rays have lost 3.8 units and are 18-20 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in 19 of those games, compared to 18 that’ve hit the under in such games. On the other hand, the Nationals have lost 8.8 units and are 8-11 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in six of those games, as opposed to 12 which went under the total.
Tampa Bay Rays at Washington Nationals Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Rays, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Trends
Washington has posted 17.3 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 11.8 over its last five.
The Rays have hit 10 home runs in their last 10 games. The Nationals have hit 12 over their last 10.
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