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The Baltimore Orioles (69-48) and Tampa Bay Rays (58-57) play the 2nd game of a 3-game series Saturday. First pitch from Tropicana Field is set for 7:15 p.m. ET (FOX). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Orioles vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Orioles lead 4-2
The Orioles took the Friday opener 4-1 as -126 favorites as the Under (8) hit. SP Zach Eflin (7 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 7 K) is now 3-0 since getting traded to Baltimore from Tampa Bay July 26. DH Eloy Jimenez had his 4th multi-hit game in his 1st 7 with the Orioles. They also got solo home runs from CF Cedric Mullins and LF Colton Cowser. Baltimore is now 4-4 on its current 10-game road trip.
Rays SP Zack Littell suffered his 8th loss of the season after allowing 3 earned runs on 8 hits over 5 innings. Tampa Bay’s offense could only manage 5 hits and didn’t score its 1st run until a 9th-inning solo shot from RF Dylan Carlson. The Rays have lost 3 of their last 4.
Orioles at Rays projected starters
RHP Corbin Burnes vs. RHP Drew Rasmussen
Burnes (12-4, 2.63 ERA) makes his 24th start. He has a 1.06 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9 and 8.3 K/9 in 143 2/3 IP.
- Last start: Loss, 5 IP, 4 ER (5 R), 7 H, 1 BB, 4 K in 9-5 victory at Cleveland Guardians Sunday
- 2024 road splits: 6-2, 3.20 ERA (70 1/3 IP, 25 ER), 0.97 WHIP, 7.5 K/9 in 11 starts
- Only career start vs. Rays: Win, 7 IP, 0 ER (2 R), 5 H, 1 BB, 3 K in 5-2 road victory June 10
Rasmussen (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will serve as the opener Saturday, making his 1st start and 2nd appearance of 2024. He pitched 2 scoreless innings in relief (0 H, 0 BB, 3 K) in his season debut, a 5-2 loss at the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday.
- Was reinstated from 60-day IL Wednesday after undergoing 3rd major elbow surgery in 7 years
- 2023 stats: 4-2, 2.62 ERA (44 2/3 IP, 13 ER), 1.05 WHIP, 9.5 K/9 in 8 starts
- Career vs. Orioles: 2-0, 2.13 ERA (25 1/3 IP, 6 ER), 0.83 WHIP, 7.1 K/9 in 6 appearances (4 starts) — last start in 2022
Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.
Orioles at Rays odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:07 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Orioles -164 (bet $164 to win $100) | Rays +138 (bet $100 to win $138)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread: Orioles -1.5 (+105) | Rays +1.5 (-126)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -106 | U: -114)
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Orioles at Rays picks and predictions
Prediction
Orioles 5, Rays 2
Moneyline
PASS.
The Orioles (-164) have their ace on the mound Saturday, and I fully expect them to get this victory, but I’m not going to bet nearly 2 units to win 1. I’ll save my wager for the run line.
Run line/Against the spread
BET ORIOLES -1.5 (+104).
Burnes has been everything the Orioles wanted and more when they acquired him this offseason from the Milwaukee Brewers. He takes the ball every 5th day, keeps them in games and eats innings. He is 3-0 in his last 4 starts, allowing a little over 2 runs per game. The Rays will struggle to get much if anything against him Saturday.
Baltimore is 10-10 since the All-Star break, but it’s not because of the offense — its team ERA is 4.97. The good news for the Orioles, Burnes has been consistent throughout the season.
Over/Under
PASS.
The uncertainty surrounding how Rasmussen will fare after a 3rd major elbow surgery makes it hard to recommend a bet. I’ll just avoid it and focus my wager on the run line.
However, if forced to make a play, my instinct would be to consider the Under with Burnes on the mound.
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