The Washington Nationals will be taking on the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. The game gets underway 12:10 p.m. ET and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will broadcast this interleague matchup.
Washington Nationals at Tampa Bay Rays Odds
Vegas has listed Washington (-215) as the favorite over Tampa Bay (+195). Bettors are able to gamble on the game’s total with odds listed at +110 for over 7 runs and -130 for under 7. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds sitting at -145 for the Nationals -1.5 runs and +125 for the Rays +1.5.
The Nationals have gone 41-36 SU this year and are 38-38 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 8.3 units for moneyline bettors and 1.0 units ATS. The Rays, on the other hand, are 38-40 SU and 43-34 ATS. The team has gained 1.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 8.0 units ATS.
Tampa Bay games have an over/under record of 33-42-2 so far in 2018. The Nationals have also been a good under bet with a total record of 30-44-2.
The right-handed Max Scherzer will get the start for the visiting Nationals. Scherzer (10-3, 2.09 ERA) has recorded 161 strikeouts in 107.2 innings so far. He’s 1-0 with 13 strikeouts and a 2.25 ERA against Tampa Bay this year.
The Rays are handing the ball to righty Nathan Eovaldi (1-3, 4.91 ERA), who’s got 21 strikeouts and three walks to his credit, as well as a WHIP of 0.89. Eovaldi is 0-1 with four strikeouts and a 7.20 ERA in one start against Washington this year.
Washington’s pitching staff allowed 3.9 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.56 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 9.71 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.87, along with a K/9 of 8.94.
Nationals hitters have slashed .239/.319/.395 on their way to 4.2 runs scored per game in 2018, including 3.4 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 3.4 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Washington’s hitters have been paced by shortstop Trea Turner and third baseman Anthony Rendon, who collectively have launched 17 home runs. The speedy Turner is slashing .264/.347/.401 with eight home runs, 27 RBIs, 41 runs and 21 stolen bases, while Rendon (.289/.358/.509) is up to nine homers, 31 RBIs and 30 runs scored.
For the home team, Tampa Bay’s pitchers have given up 4.0 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starters have an ERA of 3.95, a WHIP of 1.19 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.4. The bullpen has a 3.59 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 8.3 K/9.
The Tampa Bay hitters are putting up 4.0 runs per outing, including 3.5 per game over its last 10 games and 5.0 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .260/.354/.445 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that span.
Third baseman Matt Duffy and catcher Wilson Ramos have led the charge for the Rays’ offense this year. Duffy is slashing .318/.366/.437 with four home runs, 23 RBIs and 22 runs scored, and Ramos has put up a line of .293/.340/.469 with 11 homers, 39 RBIs and 24 runs.
The Nationals have gained 5.4 units and are 29-24 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 22 of those games, compared to 30 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Rays have lost 4.3 units and are 26-25 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over’s hit in 25 of those games, compared to 25 that went under.
Washington Nationals at Tampa Bay Rays MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Nationals, O/U – UNDER
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Notes
Betting Trends
The over has hit in three of Washington’s last seven contests.
Washington fielders have two errors over the last 10 games, compared to seven errors for Tampa Bay over its last 10.
The Nationals have hit four home runs in their last 10 games, including three over their last five.
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