The Tampa Bay Rays are paying a visit to Atlanta to face the Braves at SunTrust Park. The opening pitch is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. ET and Fox Sports Sun will televise this interleague showdown.
Tampa Bay Rays at Atlanta Braves Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Atlanta (-130) as the favorite over Tampa Bay (+120). Gamblers are able to wager on the game’s total with odds sitting at -110 for over 8.5 runs and -110 for under 8.5. Runline odds sit at -175 for picking the Rays +1.5 runs and +155 for the Braves -1.5.
The Braves are 73-57 straight up (SU) and 67-62 against the spread (ATS). The team’s gained 18.8 units for moneyline bettors and 0.5 units (ATS). Atlanta has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in all seven of them. The Rays are 70-61 SU and have gone 72-59 ATS. In total, the team’s accumulated 15.1 units for moneyline bettors and 15.3 units ATS. Tampa Bay has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the under has cashed in three of those seven.
Braves games have an over/under record of 59-65-5 in 2018. Tampa Bay has also been a solid under bet with a total record of 55-72-4.
The right-handed Ryne Stanek will get the nod for the visiting Rays. Stanek (2-3, 2.53 ERA) has recorded 65 punchouts in 53.1 innings so far. He’s 0-0 with four strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA against Atlanta this year.
The Braves will put the ball in the right hand of Julio Teheran (9-7, 4.09 ERA, 1.18 WHIP), who has 129 punchouts and 66 walks. Teheran is 1-0 with seven strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA in one start against Tampa Bay this year.
Tampa Bay’s pitching staff allowed 3.9 runs per game and its starters own a 3.68 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 9.32 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 3.66, along with a K-per-9 of 8.25.
Rays hitters have slashed .256/.331/.395 on their way to 4.2 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.6 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 6.8 per game over the team’s last five contests (5-0 SU).
Tampa Bay’s offensive production has been sparked by third baseman Matt Duffy and left fielder Mallex Smith. Duffy is slashing .300/.357/.375 with four home runs, 35 RBIs and 47 runs scored, while Smith is hitting .307 with two homers, 31 RBIs, 50 runs and 27 stolen bases.
For the home team, Atlanta’s pitchers have given up 4.0 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starting pitching staff has a 3.45 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.09 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 9.3 K/9.
The Atlanta hitters are putting up 4.7 runs per contest, including 2.9 per game over its last 10 games and 2.4 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .218/.306/.352 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
Right fielder Nick Markakis and first baseman Freddie Freeman have led the Braves’ batters this year. Markakis is hitting .312/.376/.477 with 14 home runs, 81 RBIs and 70 runs scored, and Freeman’s line is .313/.397/.515 with 20 homers, 78 RBIs and 80 runs.
The Rays have gained 7.8 units and are 50-43 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 43 of those games, compared to 48 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Braves have netted 21.1 units and are 51-40 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over’s cashed in 40 of those games, compared to 47 that went under the total.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Atlanta Braves MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Braves, ATS Winner – Rays, O/U – UNDER
Betting Notes
- The under has hit in three of Tampa Bay’s last seven games.
- Atlanta has posted 18.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 16.8 over its last five.
- The Rays have hit six home runs in their last 10 games. The Braves have hit seven over their last 10.
