The Oakland Athletics (2-4) open a 3-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays (6-0) Friday at Tropicana Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Athletics vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting of 2023. The Rays went 4-3 against the Athletics in 2022.
The Athletics lost 6-4 in 10 innings to the Cleveland Guardians Wednesday, their 4th loss in their last 5 games. Oakland has been outscored 41-22 in the first 6 games of the season.
The Rays defeated the Washington Nationals 7-2 on Wednesday to extend their win streak to 6 games to begin the season. Tampa Bay has allowed 2 or fewer runs in all but one of its games.
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Athletics at Rays projected starters
LHP Ken Waldichuk vs. RHP Zach Eflin
Waldichuk (0-1, 9.53 ERA) makes his 2nd start. He allowed 6 ER on 9 H and 1 BB with 4 K over 5 2/3 IP in his debut against the Los Angeles Angels Sunday.
- Allowed 3 HR in his season debut but only allowed 5 HR in 7 starts in 2022.
- Needed 96 pitches to get through 5 2/3 IP last time out.
Eflin (1-0, 1.80 ERA) makes his 2nd start. He allowed 1 ER on 3 H and 1 BB with 5 K over 5 IP in his debut vs. the Detroit Tigers Saturday.
- Tossed 74 pitches in his first start of the season.
- Tossed 4-scoreless IP with 2 H and 2 BB with 3 K in his lone career start against the Athletics on Apr. 10, 2022, as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Athletics 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 8:20 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Athletics +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Rays -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Athletics +1.5 (-110) | Rays -1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Athletics at Rays picks and predictions
Prediction
Rays 6, Athletics 2
Moneyline
PASS.
Even though I envision the Rays (-225) cruising to a win on Friday, I’d refrain from betting on them to get the victory straight up with the lack of profit you’d receive.
Run line/Against the spread
BET RAYS -1.5 (-110).
Tampa Bay’s pitching has been dominant thus far and I don’t expect that to change against a below-average team like Oakland. The Rays also have guys like OF Randy Arozarena, SS Wander Franco, and 1B Yandy Diaz that should excel against Waldichuk.
The Rays have won each of their 6 games this season by 4 or more runs.
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Over/Under
OVER 7.5 (-105) is the pick in this matchup with the Rays lineups’ ability to hit southpaws. The Rays have scored 5 or more runs in 5 of their first 6 games and may be able to hit this Over themselves.
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