The Philadelphia Phillies will head south to take on the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Fox Sports Sun will broadcast this interleague matchup and the opening pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Tampa Bay Rays Odds
Oddsmakers have put equal moneyline odds (-105) on each team. The total sits at 8.5 runs and bettors can wager on the over for +100 or the under for -120. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the odds standing at +140 for the Phillies -1.5 runs and -160 for the Rays +1.5.
The Phillies have gone 6-5 SU this year and are 3-8 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 0.0 units for gamblers taking the moneyline this year, but have lost 6.8 units ATS. Philadelphia is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven. The Rays are 3-9 SU and 6-6 ATS. The team’s lost 5.7 units for moneyline bettors and 0.9 units ATS. Tampa Bay has covered the spread just twice over its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven.
Rays games have an over/under record of 7-5 thus far in 2018. Philadelphia has an over/under record of 5-5-1.
The Phillies have lost 3.0 units and are 1-7 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in three of those games, compared to four that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Rays have lost 3.3 units and are 2-5 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in four of those games, compared to three that went under the total.
Right-hander Vince Velasquez (1-1, 5.19 ERA) will get the nod for the visiting Phillies. Velasquez recorded 68 strikeouts in 72 innings last year (15 starts) but finished the season 2-7 overall with a 5.13 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP.
The Rays are going with righty Jake Faria (0-1, 14.29 ERA) as their starter. Faria struck out 84 hitters in 86 innings last year with 31 walks. Faria finished the season 5-4 overall with a 3.43 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP.
As a unit, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has yielded 5.0 runs per game overall this year. Its starters have a 4.75 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 8.8 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.64 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 7.9 K/9.
The Tampa Bay offense has produced 3.3 runs per contest, including 3.3 per game over its last 10 games and 4.4 per game over its last five. The team has hit .269/.369/.392 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that span.
The Rays’ hitters have been led by second baseman Daniel Robertson and second baseman Joey Wendle. Robertson is slashing .316/.519/.368 with six hits, one RBI and six runs scored, and Wendle’s line is .310/.382/.552 with nine hits, four RBIs and three runs.
For the visiting squad, Philadelphia’s pitchers have allowed 4.5 runs per game and its starters own a 3.51 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 9.00 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.32, along with a WHIP of 1.24.
Phillies hitters have slashed .221/.320/.396 on their way to 5.3 runs scored per game this year, including over the team’s last five outings (4-1 SU).
Left fielder Rhys Hoskins and second baseman Cesar Hernandez have led Philadelphia’s hitters. Hoskins is slashing .364/.488/.697 with 12 hits, nine RBIs and seven runs scored, while Hernandez is hitting .300/.440/.500 with 12 hits, two homers, three RBIs and eight runs scored.
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Tampa Bay Rays Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Rays, ATS Winner – Rays, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The Phillies have won five of their last six games SU.
- Tampa Bay has recorded 19.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 22.8 over its last five.
- The Phillies have hit 13 home runs in their last 10 games, including 10 over their last five.
