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The Atlanta Braves (58-28) begin a 3-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays (57-33) on Friday at Tropicana Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET (Apple TV+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Braves vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting since 2021 when the Rays went 2-1
The Braves were off Thursday after cruising to an 8-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday. Atlanta is 9-1 in its last 10 games and is 8 games up in the NL East.
The Rays lost to the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1 in 11 innings on Thursday, their 5th straight defeat. Tampa Bay is now only 4 games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East.
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Braves at Rays projected starters
RHP Charlie Morton vs. RHP Tyler Glasnow
Morton (8-6, 3.57 ERA) makes his 17th start. He has a 1.45 WHIP, 4.0 BB/9 and 10.4 K/9 in 90 2/3 innings.
- Has tallied 5 or more K’s in 15 of his 16 starts
- Has been credited with a win in 3 straight starts
Glasnow (2-2, 4.50 ERA) makes his 8th start. He has a 1.33 WHIP, 3.8 BB/9 and 14.0 K/9 in 36 innings.
- Has given up 3 ER or more in 4 of his 7 starts
- Has recorded 6 or more strikeouts in all 7 starts
Braves at Rays odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:28 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Braves -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Rays -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Braves -1.5 (+155) | Rays +1.5 (-190)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Braves at Rays picks and predictions
Prediction
Braves 6, Rays 5
Moneyline
Considering how these teams have performed recently, I’ll side with the BRAVES (-105) on the road in Friday’s potential World Series preview. Atlanta is 10-1 in its last 11 games against a team with a winning record and 7-1 in its last 8 interleague games.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
Even with the Rays sputtering ahead of the All-Star break, they should keep this game close at home.
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Over/Under
BET OVER 8.5 (-120).
While Glasnow is striking out batters at a high clip, he’s giving up a 48.8% hard-hit rate and a massive 18.3% barrel rate this season. That is bad news with him facing a Braves squad that leads the league in ISO (.269), wOBA (.401), and wRC+ (151) against right-handed pitching since the start of June.
The Over is 8-3 in Atlanta’s last 11 road games against a right-handed starter. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay is 7-1 to the Over in its last 8 home games against a right-handed starter.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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