The Kansas City Royals (48-70) and the Tampa Bay Rays (62-53) open a 4-game set Thursday at Tropicana Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Royals vs. Rays odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: Royals lead 2-1
The Royals were just swept in a 3-game set in Minnesota and have dropped 5 of the last 6 games overall.
The Rays took 2 of 3 games from the New York Yankees in the Bronx this week. Tampa has won 4 of the last 5 games overall to bounce back from a 3-game losing skid.
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Royals at Rays projected starters
RHP Brad Keller vs. RHP Luis Patino
Keller (6-13, 4.93 ERA) makes his 23rd start. He has a 1.43 WHIP, 3.5 BB/9 and 6.1 K/9 in 122 1/3 IP.
- Is 3-5 with a 5.40 ERA with a .284 opponent batting average with 7 HR allowed and 31 K in 51 2/3 IP over 9 road starts
- Was pounded for 5 R (4 ER) and 5 BB with 4 H in 4 IP in a July 22 loss at home against the Rays
Patino (0-1, 6.75 ERA) makes his 4th start. He has a 2.00 WHIP, 4.5 BB/9 and 3.4 K/9 in 8 IP.
- Has managed an 0-1 record with a 6.75 ERA with 2 HR allowed and 0 K across just 4 IP in 2 starts at home
- Allowed 3 ER, 7 H and 3 BB with 3 K across 4 IP in a no-decision in his most recent start at Kansas City on July 23
Royals at Rays odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:41 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Royals +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Rays -230 (bet $230 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Royals +1.5 (-122) | Rays -1.5 (-102)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: +105 | U: -130)
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Royals at Rays picks and predictions
Prediction
Rays 8, Royals 4
Money line
The Rays (-230) are a little too expensive at home, especially considering the Royals (+180) topped them in 2 of 3 meetings last month at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.
AVOID. Look to the run line instead.
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Run line/Against the spread
The RAYS -1.5 (-102) are a much better value on the run line.
Tampa Bay has won 4 of the last 5 games, and in each victory the Rays won by at least 2 runs. So if you like the Rays to win, you should also like them on the run line.
On the flip side, Kansas City has dropped 5 of the last 6, with each of the losses coming by 2 or more runs.
Over/Under
The OVER 7.5 (-130) is the lean here.
Keller has been very giving, especially on the road this season, and Patino isn’t likely to go very deep into the game in his 1st start in nearly a month. When he has been in there as an opener, he has been knocked around quite frequently. The Over has hit in 3 of the last 4 outings for Keller, too.
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