Tampa Bay Rays vs. Los Angeles Angels Free Preview 05/19/18

The Tampa Bay Rays will be facing off against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Fox Sports Sun is in line to showcase this AL matchup and the action gets underway at 9:07 p.m. ET.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Los Angeles Angels Odds

Los Angeles (-170) is favored over Tampa Bay (+160) and Vegas has put the Over/Under for this one at 8.5 runs (-105 for the under and -115 for the over). Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds sitting at Rays +1.5 runs (-135) and Angels +-1.5 runs (+115).

The Rays are 21-22 SU and have gone 20-21 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 3.6 units for moneyline bettors in the season’s early going and 1.9 units ATS. Tampa Bay has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven. The Angels, on the other hand, are 25-20 SU and 22-21 ATS. They’ve gained 6.2 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 1.3 units ATS. Los Angeles has covered the spread just twice over its last seven games and the under has cashed in four of those seven.

Angels games have had an over/under record of 21-21-1 so far in 2018. The Rays have an over/under record of 21-18-2.

Sergio Romo is getting the nod for the visiting Rays. The right-handed Romo is 1-0 with a 4.96 ERA and 20 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Angels this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.

The Angels will send lefty Andrew Heaney (2-2, 3.93 ERA) to the mound. Heaney has 39 punchouts and nine walks to his name, as well as a 1.19 WHIP. Heaney did not record a start against the Rays in 2017.

Los Angeles’ pitchers have given up 4.2 runs per game overall this season as a unit. The club’s starting pitching staff has an ERA of 3.82, a WHIP of 1.25 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.3. The bullpen has a 3.89 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 9.1 K/9.

The Los Angeles offense is putting up 4.7 runs per outing, including 3.3 per game over its last 10 games and 1.8 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .171/.246/.283 over its last five contests and is 1-4 SU during that span.

The Angels’ batters have been led by outfielder Mike Trout and shortstop Andrelton Simmons. Trout is hitting .291/.432/.614 with 13 home runs, 26 RBIs, 35 runs and eight stolen bases, while the line for Simmons stands at .338/.404/.481 with three homers, 25 RBIs, 26 runs and five steals.

Trout seemed to enjoy hitting righty pitching at home in 2017. Over 203 such plate appearances, he slashed .352/.468/.753 (compared to his total season line of .306/.442/.629).

In the other dugout, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff allowed 4.6 runs per game and its starters own a 4.32 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 8.05 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.63, along with a WHIP of 1.23 and a K/9 of 8.65.

Rays hitters have slashed .268/.338/.411 on their way to 4.4 runs scored per game this season, including 4.8 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.6 per game over the team’s last five contests (5-0 SU).

Tampa Bay’s offense has been powered by second baseman Daniel Robertson and first baseman C.J. Cron. Robertson is slashing .284/.438/.471 with four home runs, 11 RBIs and 19 runs scored, while Cron is slashing .286/.337/.524 with 11 homers, 27 RBIs and 27 runs scored.

Compared to his overall season slash line of .248/.305/.437, Cron enjoyed hitting against left-handed pitching on the road last year, putting up a slash line of .244/.261/.600 across 46 such plate appearances.

The Rays have gained 1.1 units and are 9-5 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has cashed in six of those games, compared to seven that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Angels have netted 5.8 units and are 18-16 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 17 of those games, compared to 16 that’ve cashed the under.

Tampa Bay Rays at Los Angeles Angels Free MLB Tip

Predictions: SU Winner – Angels, ATS Winner – Rays, O/U – OVER

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