The Tampa Bay Rays are searching for their fourth consecutive win as they play host to the Washington Nationals at Tropicana Field. Mid-Atlantic Sports Network is in line to televise this interleague matchup and the action gets going at 7:10 p.m. ET.
Washington Nationals vs. Tampa Bay Rays Odds
Oddsmakers are listing Washington (+105) as the underdog to Tampa Bay (-115). The total sits at 7.5 runs and bettors can take the over for +100 and the under for -120. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the current runline odds standing at -200 for the Nationals +1.5 runs and +170 for the Rays -1.5 runs.
The Rays are 37-40 straight up (SU) and 42-34 against the spread (ATS). The team’s lost 2.2e-15 units for moneyline bettors while gaining 6.8 units (ATS). Tampa Bay has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the under has hit in six of those seven. The Nationals have gone 41-35 SU this year and are 37-38 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 9.3 units for moneyline gamblers and 2.6 units ATS. Washington has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the under has cashed in four of those seven.
Rays games have an over/under record of 32-42-2 so far in 2018. The Nationals have also been a good under bet with a total record of 29-44-2.
Gio Gonzalez will get the nod for the Nationals. The left-handed Gonzalez is 6-4 with a 3.08 ERA and 80 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Rays this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Rays will be sending lefty Blake Snell (9-4, 2.48 ERA) to the hill. Snell has 103 strikeouts and 36 walks to his name, as well as a WHIP of 1.06. Snell did not record a start against the Nationals in 2017.
As a unit, Tampa Bay’s pitchers have allowed 4.0 runs per game overall this season. Its starters have an ERA of 4.03, a WHIP of 1.20 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.3. The bullpen has a 3.61 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 8.3 K/9.
Tampa Bay’s offense is putting up 3.9 runs per outing, including 2.7 per game over its last 10 games and 3.2 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .240/.323/.404 over its last five matchups and is 4-1 SU during that span.
Third baseman Matt Duffy and catcher Wilson Ramos have paced the Rays’ batters this year. Duffy is hitting .318/.364/.438 with four home runs, 23 RBIs and 22 runs scored, while Ramos is batting .289 with nine homers, 36 RBIs and 22 runs.
For the visiting squad, Washington’s pitching staff allowed 3.8 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.45 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 9.69 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.80, along with a K-per-9 of 8.90.
The Nationals offense has slashed .241/.320/.399 on its way to 4.3 runs scored per game this year, including 3.9 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 3.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (2-3 SU).
Washington’s hitters have been paced by shortstop Trea Turner and third baseman Anthony Rendon, who collectively have blasted 17 home runs. The speedy Turner is slashing .266/.348/.405 with eight home runs, 27 RBIs, 41 runs and 21 steals, while Rendon (.288/.358/.507) has produced nine homers, 31 RBIs and 30 runs scored.
The Nationals have lost 13.7 units and are 9-14 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has hit in eight of those games, compared to 14 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Rays have netted 6.0 units and are 17-9 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over’s hit in eight of those games, compared to 17 that went under the total.
Washington Nationals vs. Tampa Bay Rays MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Rays, ATS Winner – Nationals, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Notes
The over has cashed in just one of Tampa Bay’s last seven games.
The Nationals have hit four home runs in their last 10 games, including three over their last five.
Tampa Bay has recorded 16.9 runs + hits + errors per game over its last 10 games and 19.6 over its last five.
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