The Atlanta Braves are paying a visit to Tropicana Field to take on the Tampa Bay Rays. Fox Sports Southeast is in line to broadcast this interleague matchup and the game gets underway at 7:10 p.m. ET.
Atlanta Braves vs. Tampa Bay Rays Odds
Vegas is listing Atlanta (+115) as the underdog to Tampa Bay (-125). Bettors can wager on the games total with odds posted at even money (+100) for over 8 runs and -120 for under 8. Gamblers can also bet on the games runline with the odds sitting at Braves +1.5 runs (-180) and Rays +-1.5 runs (+160).
The Rays are 15-17 SU and 18-14 ATS. The teams lost 1.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline while gaining 4.5 units against the spread (ATS). The Braves are 19-14 SU and have gone 20-13 ATS. In total, the teams gained 8.3 units for gamblers taking the moneyline in the seasons early going and 7.3 units ATS.
Rays games have a 17-13-2 over/under record so far in 2018. Atlanta has an over/under record of 16-14-3.
Sean Newcomb will get the nod for Atlanta. The southpaw Newcomb is 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA and 42 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Rays this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Rays are handing the ball to lefty Blake Snell (4-1, 2.55 ERA), who has 45 punchouts and 12 walks, as well as a 0.94 WHIP. Snell did not record a start against the Braves in 2017.
Atlanta’s pitching staff allowed 4.2 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.76 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 8.90 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.77, along with a WHIP of 1.35.
Braves hitters have slashed .274/.343/.446 on their way to 5.5 runs scored per game this year, including 5.4 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 5.4 per game over the teams last five contests (2-3 SU).
Atlanta’s hitters have been led by right fielder Nick Markakis and first baseman Freddie Freeman, who’ve collectively launched 11 home runs. Markakis is slashing .344/.428/.550 with six home runs, 25 RBIs and 21 runs scored, while Freeman (.307/.414/.535) is up to five homers, 25 RBIs and 24 runs scored.
Maintaining a slash line of .278/.357/.524 across 143 plate appearances, Freeman didn’t do especially well against left-handed pitchers in 2017 (compared to his total season line of .307/.403/.586).
For the home team, Tampa Bay’s pitchers have allowed 4.5 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 3.98, a WHIP of 1.21 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.5. The bullpen has a 4.58 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 8.7 K/9.
Tampa Bay’s offense is putting up 4.4 runs per outing, including 4.6 per game over its last 10 games and 3.0 per game over its last five. The team has hit .242/.335/.321 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
The Rays hitters have been led by second baseman Daniel Robertson and catcher Wilson Ramos. Robertson is hitting .295/.439/.487 with 23 hits, eight RBIs and 14 runs scored, and the line for Ramos stands at .315/.364/.500 with four homers, 16 RBIs and 10 runs scored.
Ramos performed well against lefties at home last year. Across 31 such plate appearances, he slashed .414/.419/.724 (compared to his total season line of .260/.290/.447).
The Braves have lost 0.3 units and are 2-4 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has cashed in three of those games, compared to three that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Rays have netted 1.4 units and are 9-3 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over has hit in six of those games, compared to five that went under the total.
Atlanta Braves vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Rays, ATS Winner – Braves, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The under has hit in five of Tampa Bay’s last seven games.
- Atlanta has recorded 26.8 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 25.4 over its last five.
- The Braves have hit 14 home runs in their last 10 games, including nine over their last five.
