The Tampa Bay Rays (49-22) and the Oakland Athletics (19-51) wrap up a 4-game series Thursday at Oakland Coliseum. First pitch is scheduled for 3:37 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rays vs. Athletics odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Rays lead 4-2
The Rays cooled off the red-hot Athletics Wednesday with a 6-3 victory behind LHP Tyler Glasnow. Tampa Bay slipped behind 3-1 after 2 innings but rattled off 5 unanswered runs to post its first win in the series.
The Athletics had won a season-high 7 straight entering Wednesday’s contest. Oakland’s win streak actually accounts for 36.8% of its victories on the season, so it hasn’t been a bad week.
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Rays at Athletics projected starters
RHP Taj Bradley vs. RHP Paul Blackburn
Bradley (4-3, 4.19 ERA) makes his 9th start. He has a 1.27 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 12.1 K/9 in 38 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 3 2/3 IP, 5 R (4 ER), 4 H, 4 BB, 4 K in an 8-4 home loss vs. the Texas Rangers Saturday
- 2023 road splits: 2-1, 1.71 ERA (21 IP, 4 ER – 1 HR) with a .200 opponent batting average (OBA) in 4 starts
Blackburn (0-0, 3.60 ERA) makes his 4th start. He has a 1.33 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9 and 8.4 K/9 in 15 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 5 K in a 2-1 road win vs. the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday
- Only 2023 home outing: No-decision, 4 IP, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K in a 7-2 win vs. the Atlanta Braves on May 29
Rays at Athletics odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated 6:24 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rays -200 (bet $200 to win $100) | Athletics +165 (bet $100 to win $165)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays -1.5 (-120) | Athletics +1.5 (+100)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: +100 | U: -120)
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Rays at Athletics picks and predictions
Prediction
Athletics 4, Rays 3
Moneyline
The ATHLETICS (+165) are a solid value at plus money in this matinee finale.
Oakland has actually looked like a functional major league team after months of near-record futility. The A’s are 7-1 in the past 8 games overall, and they have a very good chance with Blackburn on the hill against Bradley.
Run line/Against the spread
The ATHLETICS +1.5 (+100) are worth a look at even-money on the run line if you’d like a little insurance and cannot bring yourself to play Oakland at home straight up.
The A’s have won 2 of 3 games in this series so far, and Oakland is averaging a respectable 5.3 runs per game across the past 10 outings.
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Over/Under
Take the UNDER 9 (-120) despite Oakland’s recently rediscovered offense.
The Under has cashed in 5 of the past 6 games for the Rays on the road and has cashed in 8 of their last 10 games against a right-handed starting pitcher. The Under is also 11-5 in the past 16 games overall.
The Under has hit in 4 of the past 5 games overall for the A’s while going 4-1-1 in the past 6 outings at home.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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