The streaking Tampa Bay Rays will go for their fifth straight win as they play host to the Washington Nationals at Tropicana Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 12:10 p.m. ET and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will broadcast this interleague showdown.
Washington Nationals vs. Tampa Bay Rays Odds
Tampa Bay (+195) is coming into this one as the underdog against Washington (-215) and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under for this one at 7 runs. The odds for wagering on the games total stand at +110 for the over and -130 for the under. The games current runline odds sit at -145 for picking the Nationals -1.5 runs and +125 for the Rays +1.5 runs.
The Rays are 38-40 straight up (SU) and 43-34 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 1.8 units for moneyline bettors and 8.0 units (ATS). Tampa Bay has covered the spread six times in its last seven games and the under has hit in five of those seven. The Nationals are 41-36 SU and have gone 38-38 ATS. In total, the teams lost 8.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 1.0 units ATS. Washington is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
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.
Max Scherzer will get the nod for Washington. The right-handed Scherzer is 10-3 with a 2.09 ERA and 161 strikeouts. He’s 1-0 with 13 strikeouts and a 2.25 ERA against Tampa Bay this year.
The Rays are putting the ball in the right hand of Nathan Eovaldi (1-3, 4.91 ERA, 0.89 WHIP), who has 21 strikeouts and three walks this season. Eovaldi is 0-1 with four strikeouts and a 7.20 ERA in one start against Washington this year.
As a unit, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has allowed 4.0 runs per game overall this year. The clubs starting pitching staff has 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 a slash-line of .260/.354/.445 over its last five matchups and is 4-1 SU during that span.
The Rays batters have been led by third baseman Matt Duffy and catcher Wilson Ramos. Duffy is hitting .318/.366/.437 with four home runs, 23 RBIs and 22 runs scored, while Ramos is batting .293 with 11 homers, 39 RBIs and 24 runs.
For the visitors, Washington’s pitchers have 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 an ERA of 3.87, along with a K/9 of 8.94.
The Nationals offense has slashed .239/.319/.395 on its way to 4.2 runs scored per game in 2018, including 3.4 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 3.4 per game over the teams last five outings (2-3 SU).
Shortstop Trea Turner and third baseman Anthony Rendon continue to lead Washington’s offense. The speedy Turner is hitting .264/.347/.401 with eight home runs, 27 RBIs, 41 runs and 21 steals, while Rendon is hitting .289/.358/.509 with nine homers, 31 RBIs and 30 runs scored.
The Nationals have gained 5.4 units and are 29-24 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher 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 right-handed starting pitcher. The overs hit in 25 of those games, compared to 25 that’ve gone under.
Washington Nationals at Tampa Bay Rays Free MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Nationals, ATS Winner – Nationals, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Each teams has recorded 18 extra-base hits over its last five contests.
- The Nationals have hit four home runs in their last 10 games, including three over their last five.
- Tampa Bay has recorded 18.9 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 23.0 over its last five.
