The Washington Nationals will play host to the Tampa Bay Rays at Nationals Park. This interleague matchup will begin at 7:05 p.m. ET and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will showcase the game.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Washington Nationals Odds
Tampa Bay (+220) is the underdog to Washington (-240) and Vegas has put the Over/Under for this one at 7 runs. The odds for betting on the game’s total sit at -115 for the over and -105 for the under. Gamblers can also wager on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds standing at Rays +1.5 runs (+100) and Nationals -1.5 runs (-120).
The Nationals are 33-25 SU and 30-28 ATS. The team has lost 0.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline while gaining 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 28-30 SU and have gone 30-28 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 1.4 units for moneyline gamblers, but have gained 0.1 units ATS. Tampa Bay has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has cashed in six of those seven.
Nationals games have had an over/under record of 22-34-2 thus far in 2018. The Rays have an over/under record of 26-30-2.
Right-hander Nathan Eovaldi is getting the start for the visiting Rays. Eovaldi is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA and four strikeouts. He has yet to face the Nationals this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Nationals will send righty Max Scherzer (9-1, 1.92 ERA) to the mound. Scherzer has 120 strikeouts and 19 walks to his credit, as well as a WHIP of 0.85. Scherzer did not record a start against the Rays in 2017.
Washington’s pitchers have allowed 3.5 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. The team’s starting pitching staff has an ERA of 2.89, a WHIP of 1.05 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.9. The bullpen has a 3.85 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 9.3 K/9.
Washington’s offense is putting up 4.3 runs per outing, including 3.8 per game over its last 10 games and 2.2 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .151/.202/.256 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
Shortstop Trea Turner and right fielder Bryce Harper have paced the Nationals’ hitters this year. Turner is slashing .260/.346/.404 with seven home runs, 24 RBIs, 33 runs and 16 steals, and Harper is hitting .232 with 18 homers, 40 RBIs, 37 runs and five stolen bases.
For the visiting squad, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff allowed 4.2 runs per game and its starters own a 3.90 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 8.60 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.92, along with a WHIP of 1.18 and a K-per-9 of 8.41.
The Rays offense has slashed .257/.331/.396 on its way to 4.1 runs scored per game in 2018, including 3.2 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 2.8 per game over the team’s last five outings (1-4 SU).
First baseman C.J. Cron and catcher Wilson Ramos continue to lead Tampa Bay’s hitters. Cron is hitting .264/.329/.467 with 12 home runs, 32 RBIs and 32 runs scored, while Ramos (.301/.346/.466) has produced seven homers, 29 RBIs and 18 runs scored.
The Rays have lost 3.8 units and are 18-20 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 19 of those games, compared to 18 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Nationals have netted 8.2 units and are 22-17 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has cashed in 16 of those games, compared to 22 that went under the total.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Washington Nationals Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Rays, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Trends
The Rays have hit 10 home runs in their last 10 games. The Nationals have hit 13 over their last 10.
Washington has recorded 19.0 runs + hits + errors per game over its last 10 outings and 12.6 over its last five.
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