The Tampa Bay Rays are set to host the Arizona Diamondbacks at Tropicana Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET and Fox Sports Arizona will be televising this interleague matchup.
Arizona Diamondbacks at Tampa Bay Rays Odds
Oddsmakers are listing Arizona (+182) as the underdog to Tampa Bay (-195). The total stands at 7.5 runs and bettors can wager on the over for +110 or the under for -130. You can also bet on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds sitting at Diamondbacks +1.5 runs (-120) and Rays -1.5 runs (+100).
The Rays are 21-12 straight up (SU) and 21-12 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 2.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 8.2 units ATS. Tampa Bay has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven. The Diamondbacks are 20-14 SU and have gone 23-10 against the spread. Overall, the club has accumulated 9.9 units for gamblers taking the moneyline in the season’s early going and 11.9 units ATS. Arizona’s covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven.
Tampa Bay games have a 13-19-1 over/under record so far in 2019. Diamondbacks games have gone over 17 times, gone under 14 times and pushed on two occasions.
Merrill Kelly will get the start for Arizona. The right-handed Kelly is 3-2 with a 3.60 ERA and 29 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Rays this year and did not record a start against them in 2018, either.
The Rays are putting the ball in the hands of lefty Blake Snell (2-3, 4.31 ERA), who’s got 41 strikeouts and nine walks, along with a 1.12 WHIP. Snell did not re a start against the Diamondbacks in 2018.
As a unit, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has given up 3.1 runs per game overall in 2019. The club’s starters have an ERA of 2.53, a WHIP of 0.96 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.7. The bullpen has a 3.47 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 9.4 K/9.
Tampa Bay’s hitters have put up 4.5 runs per contest, including 3.6 per game over its last 10 games and 2.8 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .228/.294/.358 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
Left fielder Tommy Pham and second baseman Brandon Lowe have led the Rays’ hitters this year. Pham is hitting .295/.404/.443 with four home runs, 14 RBIs, 14 runs and six steals, while Lowe is hitting .309 with seven homers, 19 RBIs and 20 runs.
In the other dugout, Arizona’s pitchers have allowed 4.6 runs per game and its starters own a 4.15 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 9.05 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.39, along with a WHIP of 1.25.
Diamondbacks hitters have slashed .267/.330/.475 on their way to 5.5 runs scored per game in 2019, including 6.2 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 6.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (4-1 SU).
Arizona’s hitters have been led by David Peralta and Eduardo Escobar, who collectively have swatted 12 home runs. Peralta is hitting .312/.351/.532 with five home runs, 24 RBIs and 21 runs scored, while Escobar (.302/.371/.556) is up to seven homers, 21 RBIs and 20 runs scored.
The Diamondbacks have gained 6.1 units and are 9-4 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has hit in nine of those games, compared to two that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Rays have lost 2.8 units and are 14-10 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in 12 of those games, compared to 11 that went under the total.
Diamondbacks at Rays Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Rays, ATS Winner – Diamondbacks, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Arizona has logged 24 extra-base hits over its last five contests. Tampa Bay has 12 XBH over its last five.
- The Diamondbacks have hit 17 home runs in their last 10 games, including 11 over their last five.
- The Diamondbacks have an OPS of .805 this season and an OPS of .893 when facing left-handed pitchers. The Rays’ OPS stands at .766 overall and .702 against southpaws.
- Tampa Bay has posted 18.2 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 17.6 over its last five.
