The Tampa Bay Rays are set to take on the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. This interleague matchup will get going at 1:05 p.m. ET and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will televise the game.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Washington Nationals Odds
The Rays are 28-31 SU and have gone 30-28 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 1.4 units for moneyline bettors, despite having gained 0.1 units ATS. Tampa Bay has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has hit in six of those seven. The Nationals, on the other hand, are 34-25 SU and 30-28 ATS. The team has lost 0.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline while gaining 1.8 units ATS. Washington has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in all seven of them.
Nationals games have had an over/under record of 22-34-2 so far in 2018. Tampa Bay has an over/under record of 26-30-2.
Jonny Venters will get the nod for Tampa Bay. The southpaw Venters is 1-0 with a 0.87 ERA and six strikeouts. He has yet to face the Nationals this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Nationals are preparing to start righty Tanner Roark (2-6, 3.61 ERA), who has 61 strikeouts and 24 walks, as well as a 1.09 WHIP. Roark did not record a start against the Rays in 2017.
As a unit, Washington’s pitchers have given up 3.4 runs per game overall this season. The clubs starters have an ERA of 2.88, a WHIP of 1.04 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.0. The bullpen has a 3.83 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 9.3 K/9.
The Washington hitters have produced 4.3 runs per outing, including 3.3 per game over its last 10 games and 2.6 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .137/.185/.250 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that span.
Shortstop Trea Turner and right fielder Bryce Harper have led the way for the Nationals offense this year. Turner is hitting .255/.341/.397 with seven home runs, 24 RBIs, 33 runs and 16 stolen bases, while Harper’s line sits at .227/.365/.517 with 18 homers, 40 RBIs, 37 runs and five stolen bases.
In the other dugout, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff allowed 4.2 runs per game and its starters own a 3.96 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 8.57 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 3.87, along with a WHIP of 1.17 and a K-per-9 of 8.46.
The Rays offense has slashed .256/.329/.393 on its way to 4.1 runs scored per game in 2018, including 3.4 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 2.0 per game over the teams last five contests (0-5 SU).
Tampa Bay’s hitters have been led by first baseman C.J. Cron and third baseman Matt Duffy. Cron is hitting .260/.324/.459 with 12 home runs, 32 RBIs and 32 runs scored, while Duffy (.309/.351/.389) has produced two homers, 16 RBIs and 12 runs scored.
The Rays have lost 3.8 units and are 18-20 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has cashed in 19 of those games, as opposed to 18 that’ve hit the under against righties. On the other hand, the Nationals have lost 8.8 units and are 8-11 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The overs hit in six of those games, compared to 12 which went under the total.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Washington Nationals Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Rays, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Washington has posted 17.3 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 11.8 over its last five.
- The Rays have hit 10 home runs in their last 10 games. The Nationals have hit 12 over their last 10.
