The Philadelphia Phillies (28-30) and Tampa Bay Rays (38-20) square off Saturday at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. with first pitch scheduled for 7:07 p.m. ET (on FOX). We analyze the Phillies-Rays MLB betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Phillies at Rays: Projected starting pitchers
RHP Zack Wheeler vs. RHP John Curtiss
Wheeler makes his final start of the regular season, putting his 4-1 record, 2.67 ERA and 1.13 WHIP on the line.
- Wheeler has registered 45 strikeouts across his 64 innings of work, including at least six strikeouts in three of his four September starts.
- Wheeler has allowed three or fewer earned runs in all 10 of his outings to date, and he has surrendered just two home runs across his past eight outings across 51 innings.
Curtiss will serve as the opener for Saturday’s game against the Phillies. He is 3-0 with a 1.85 ERA and 0.86 WHIP across 24 1/3 innings in his 16 appearances and two starts.
- Curtiss has been impressive so far, turning in 25 strikeouts and just three walks, or an 8.33 K/BB ratio.
- Curtiss faced the Phillies in his most recent appearance, posting a perfect inning while striking out the side on Friday night.
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Phillies at Rays: Key injuries
(List of injuries around the league)
Phillies
- 1B Rhys Hoskins (elbow) out
Rays
- 1B Ji-Man Choi (hamstring) out
- 3B Yandy Diaz (hamstring) out
- OF Austin Meadows (oblique) out
Phillies at Rays: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 12:40 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Phillies 4, Rays 2
Money line (ML)
The PHILLIES (-106) are the play here, as they still have postseason aspirations, and need to win, while the Rays (-106) have already nailed down the AL East Division title and the top spot in the American League. They do not have anything left to play for this weekend. The Phillies have their best starting pitcher, while the Rays are using an opener. While Tampa’s bullpen is strong, and this is a bullpen game for them, roll with Philadelphia.
New to sports betting? A winning $10.60 bet on Philadelphia returns a profit of $10.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The Phillies (-1.5, +150) is not a big enough payout. Philadelphia on the money line is the only play on sides since their top pitcher is on the hill.
Over/Under (O/U)
UNDER 7.5 (-110) is the play, as Wheeler will hold the Rays at bay. And while it’s a bullpen game for Tampa, don’t take that as a bad thing. They have a top ‘pen, and the Phillies will struggle to scratch out runs against them, too.
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